Rhetus

Rhetus is a Neotropical metalmark butterfly genus. They are small (wingspan 25–30 mm), fast-flying, and strikingly iridescent, and have long wing tails. They are found in open areas, including tracks of primary rainforest.

Rhetus
R. dysonii, Ecuador
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Riodinidae
Tribe:	Riodinini
Genus:	Rhetus Swainson, [1829]
Species
See text
Synonyms
Diorina Morisse, [1838]

The genus was erected by William Swainson in 1829. In older literature, all three species were placed in the genus Diorina Morisse 1838 currently viewed as a subjective junior synonym, the older name having priority.

Rhetus periander often features in butterfly wall displays.

Species

The three species are:^[1]

• Rhetus arcius (Linnaeus, 1763) – paler than R. periander and with longer thinner tails
• Rhetus dysonii (Saunders, 1850) – outer margins of the forewings convex, distinct white bands, and white markings on the tail
• Rhetus periander (Cramer, [1777]) – commonest and most widespread