Catagramma

See text "Catagramma" is a genus of Neotropical butterflies; the name has a problematic history of differing usage, which especially continues to be used in a broader sense than any modern technical definitions e.g. among butterfly collectors as a form taxon.

In that latter broad sense, the various "Catagramma" are popularly known as 88s in reference to patterning on the hindwing undersides which can resemble the number 88.

A succession of early studies on the genus led to it containing over 100 species, essentially becoming a "wastebin taxon" associated with what became recognized as the tribe Callicorini in 1952.

The former "Catagramma" are now divided amongst several closely related genera such as Callicore, Catacore, Diaethria, and Perisama; while others (like Cyclogramma) are not often considered distinct anymore.

These genera have been found to be close relatives of Antigonis and Haematera, together group in Callicorini.

The potential association of "Catagramma" with another subsequently described genus Paulogramma has been subject to differing opinion (see below).

Jean Baptiste Boisduval lumped this conspicuous group of Callicorini during his epic Lepidoptera reviews from the 1830s to 1850s.

In many cases the generic names of previous authors were ignored, creating numerous junior subjective synonyms throughout, but was widely followed by subsequent sources.

For example, the influential works by Hewitson (1857-1861)[1] listed many new species under the genus Catagramma Boisduval, 1836, as later did Godman & Salvin (1879-1901)[2] in their Biologia Centrali-Americana, helping establishing it for posterity.

[3] For some later authors, Boisduval's species was considered part of Callicore, although others treated Catagramma as a valid genus.

The same work also refers to the re-description of "Nymphalis hydaspes" in the Encyclopédie Méthodique (i.e. Godart, 1824)[5] as being partly based on Drury's work, so noting (p.21) "I have considered it most advisable to retain the name Hydaspes for Drury's insect".

[10] More broadly, Westwood (1837) also considers Biblis Hesperia Perty (1833)[11] as the same species, so formalised as a synonym.

[10] In contrast, Westwood (1837) clearly states that Drury's species is distinct from that of Fabricius (1793) supporting Donovan (1824).

Fabricius (1793)[6] gave a brief Latin description (p. 54) as "Hydaspes" under header Papilio as number "167", citing "Habitat in Brasilia.

Later, it mentions two alternative names used by Fabricius, then refers to "the Fabrician MS. annexed to the drawings of the species in the collection of Mr.

Westwood (1837)[10] [As editor, with Drury posthumously] gave English (re)-description (p.20) and painted images (Plate XV, fig.

Hewitson (1857-1861)[1] gave several species descriptions under the recognised genus name Catagramma Boisduval.

Godman & Salvin (1879-1901 [1883])[2] gave several species descriptions under the recognised genus name Catagramma Boisduval.

"Catagramma" on plate 25 of Biologia Centrali-Americana
Top three rows: "Catagramma"
Top row, center: Underside of C. pygas .
From Adalbert Seitz (ed.): Macrolepidoptera of the World (1915)