Large Hind Wings Enhance Gliding Performance in Ground Effect in a Neotropical Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Neotropical butterflies in the nymphalid genera Pierella Herrich-Schäffer, 1865 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) and Cithaerias Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) are known to glide near ground level, and have a high forewing aspect ratio. The hind wings of Pierella are proportionately larger than those of Cithaerias, suggesting a potential role in gliding flight. We show that Pierella helvina (Hewitson, 1860) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) is...