Riodinid Butterfly Rettus periander Underwing

Common Name: Riodinid Butterfly

Order Name: Lepidoptera

Family Name: Riodinidae

This Riodinid butterfly shows the underside of the Brazilian Rettus species. A small patch of sunlight blessed the spot which attracted this showoff species deep within the forest. Many butterfly species spend their time in search of minerals. Because of the tremendous volume and diversity of organic material in a tropical rain forest, minerals are at a premium and rely on the rapid recycling of organic material. Rain forests are fragile environment because the minerals needed for life are usually based on a shallow band of top soil which can easily be damaged by erosion.