NABA Names Committee

Jane V Scott jvscott at naba.org
Mon Mar 27 10:31:47 EST 2000


NABA Names Committee: Request for information

Dear Fellow Lepidopterists and Butterfly Enthusiasts,
The mission of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) is to 
increase public awareness, enjoyment and conservation of butterflies.  
Because we believe that the confusing welter of butterfly names has been 
a serious impediment to public involvement with butterflies, one of 
NABA’s first actions, in late 1992, was the establishment of a committee 
to create a list of butterfly names to be used for all NABA activities. 
 That committee, consisting of Brian Cassie, Jeffrey Glassberg, Paul 
Opler, Bob Robbins and Guy Tudor, worked very hard over a period of 
almost 2 years, culminating in the publication in 1995 of the NABA 
Checklist and English Names of North American Butterflies: First Edition 
(hereafter called First Edition).  In constructing this list, attention 
mainly was focused on English names.  For scientific names and the 
status of taxa the committee followed Robbins and Lamas for hairstreaks, 
the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies by P. Opler  (1992) for 
all species treated therein and The Butterflies of North America by J. 
Scott (1986) for all other species.  
	Soon after the publication of First Edition, Jeffrey Glassberg, 
president of NABA, spoke informally with a number of individual officers 
and executive council members of the Lepidopterists’ Society and then 
formally wrote to the Executive Council recommending that they form a 
committee to establish an official list of scientific names, further 
noting that if the Lepidopterists’ Society  chose not to establish such 
a committee, then NABA, because it required such a list for its own use, 
would be required to establish one itself. That summer, the 
Lepidopterists’ Society  considered this proposal and declined to form a 
committee to draft an official list of scientific names for use by the 
Lepidopterists’ Society  and by NABA. 
	Following this demurer by the Lepidopterists’ Society, NABA set 
out to establish a committee to examine scientific names.  NABA 
approached John Burns, Don Lafontaine, Paul Opler, Bob Robbins and Felix 
Sperling about being part of a NABA scientific names committee. 
Eventually, they all agreed to form a committee, but decided to form a 
private committee, rather than one under NABA’s auspices.  This left 
NABA in the position of again needing to form its own committee to 
revise the First Edition in a timely manner, and it has now done so. 
Committee members are Brian Cassie, Jeffrey Glassberg, Ann Swengel, Guy 
Tudor and Andy Warren.
	The committee will take as its starting point the first edition 
of the NABA checklist (available at the NABA web site at www.naba.org). 
Because we are committed to a completely open process, in considering 
changes to the scientific name or status of any taxon on this list, the 
committee will only consider published data that is presented in a form 
that a knowledgeable reader can independently assess in the paper at 
hand.  Because of the importance of stability of names to the public, 
upon whom ultimately butterflies depend for their continued existence, 
we will only make a change in the scientific name or status of any taxon 
on this list if the published evidence presents a clear and compelling 
case for change. 
	The reason for this committee’s activities is that NABA requires 
a set of English and scientific names to be used in NABA publications 
and during NABA activities.  The NABA National Counts (including 4th of 
July Counts in the U.S., 1st of July Counts in Canada and 16th of Sept. 
Counts in Mexico) require a consistent set of names, as do articles in 
American Butterflies and Butterfly Garden News.  The list developed will 
be used for NABA activities and, while we hope that many people will 
adopt the NABA list, we do not expect that someone writing a scientific 
paper about butterflies will necessarily use the NABA list.
	Below, we have listed all publications known to us that include 
data that might argue for a different scientific name or status for a 
taxon as listed in the First Edition.  We would greatly appreciate any 
and all help in locating any additional publications of this type that 
we may have overlooked. Please reply by May 1, 2000 to Error! Bookmark 
not defined. or to: NABA Names Committee, 4 Delaware Rd., Morristown, NJ 
07960.     	

Phoebus Parnassian Parnassius phoebus. 
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 79. 
University of Toronto Press: Toronto.
	Shepard, J.H. and Manley, T.R. 1999. A species revision of the 
Parnassius phoebus complex in North America. In Systematics of Western 
North American Butterflies. pp 717-726.

Old World Swallowtail Papilio machaon
	Sperling, F.A.H. and Harrison, R.G. 1994. Mitochondrial DNA 
variation within and between species of the Papilio machaon group of 
swallowtail butterflies. Evolution 48: 408-422.  

Mustard White Pieris napi. 
	Bowden, S.R. 1988. On Pieris (Artogeia) marginalis macdunnoughii 
Remington (Pieridae). J. Res. Lep. 26; 82-88. (marginalis and napi not 
conspecific based on breeding Col. Individuals with European 
individuals)
	Ferris, C.D. (Ed.). 1989. Supplement to: A Catalogue/Checklist 
of the Butterflies of American North of Mexico. The Lepdiopterists’ 
Society Memoir No. 3. 1-103 +vii.
	Geiger, H. and Shapiro, A.M. 1992. Genetics, systematics and 
evolution of holartic Pieris napi species group populations. Zeitscrift 
fur Zoologishes Systematick und Evolutionforschung 30: 100-122.

Giant White Ganyra josephina 
	Bailowitz, R.A. 1988. Systematics of Ascia (Ganyra)(Pieridae) 
populations in the Sonoran Desert. J. Res. Lep. 26: 73-81. 

Sara Orangetip Anthocharis sara. 
	Geiger, H.  and Shapiro, A.M. 1986. Electrophorectic evidence 
for speciation within the nominal species Anthocharis sara Lucas 
(Pieridae). J. Res. Lep. 25: 15-24.

Western Sulphur Colias occidentalis
	Ferris, C.D. 1993. Reassessment of the Colias alexandra group, 
the legume-feeding species, and preliminary cladistic analysis of the 
North American Colias. Bulletin of the Allyn Museum 138: 1-91. 

Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur Colias alexandra 
	Ferris, C.D. 1989. A new species of Colias from Utah. Bulletin 
of the Allyn Museum 128: 1-11.
	Ferris, C.D. 1993. Reassessment of the Colias alexandra group, 
the legume-feeding species, and preliminary cladistic analysis of the 
North American Colias. Bulletin of the Allyn Museum 138: 1-91.	

Mead’s Sulphur Colias meadii
	Troubridge, J.T. and Philip, K.W. 1990. A new species of Colias 
from Arctic Canada. Can. Ent. 122: 15-20. 

Booth’s Sulphur Colias boothi.
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1999. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 109. 

Dorcas Copper Lycaena dorcas 
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1999. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 126. 

Bramble Hairstreak Callophrys dumetorum.  
	Emmel, J.F., Emmel, T.C. and Mattoon, S.O. 1999. In Systematics 
of Western North American Butterflies, Emmel, T.C. ed. pp. 3-76. The 
types of California butterflies named by Jean Alphonse Boisduval: 
designation of lectotypes and a neotype, and fixation of type 
localities.
	Emmel, J.F., Emmel, T.C. and Mattoon, S.O. 1999. In Systematics 
of Western North American Butterflies, Emmel, T.C. ed. pp. 159-170. 

Sheridan’s Hairstreak Callophrys sheridanii
	Emmel, J.F., Emmel, T.C. and Mattoon, S.O. 1999. In Systematics 
of Western North American Butterflies, Emmel, T.C. ed. pp. 159-170.	

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak Strymon istapa. 
	Robbins, R.K. 1998 (1999). Taxonomy and nomenclature of Strymon 
istapa and S. columella. J. Lep. Soc. 52: 318-327.  

Spring Azure Celastrina ladon
	Pratt, G.F., Wright, D.M. and Pavulaan, H. 1994. The various 
taxa and hosts of the North American Celastrina. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 
96: 566-578.  
	Scott, J.A. and Wright, D.M. 1998.  A new Celastrina from the 
eastern slope of Colorado. Papilio new series. No. 9. 1-15.
	Wright, D.M. and Pavulaan, H. 1999. Celastrina idella: A new 
butterfly species from the Atlantic coastal plain. The Taxonomic Report. 
1, no. 9: 1-11. 

Square-spotted Blue Euphilotes battoides. 
	Mattoni, R.H.T. 1988 (1989). The Euphilotes battoides complex: 
recognition of a species and description of a new subspecies. J. 
Res.Lep. 27:173-185.
	Shields, O. and Reveal, J.L. 1988. Sequential evolution of 
Euphilotes on their plant host Eriogonum. Biological J. of Linnaean Soc. 
33: 51-93.
	Pratt, G.F. 1994. Evolution of Euphilotes by seasonal and host 
shifts. Biological J. of Linnaean Soc. 51: 387-416.
	Pratt, G. and Emmel, J.F. 1999. Revision of the Euphilotes 
enoptes and E. battoides complexes. In Systematics of Western North 
American Butterflies. pp. 207-270. 
	
Dotted Blue Euphilotes enoptes. 
	Pratt, G. and Emmel, J.F. 1999. Revision of the Euphilotes 
enoptes and E. battoides complexes. In Systematics of Western North 
American Butterflies. pp. 207-270. 

Arctic Blue Agriades glandon. 
	Emmel, J.F. and Emmel, T.C. 1999. A new species of Agriades from 
the Sierra Nevada and Trinity Alps of California, and the biology and 
geographic variation of Agriades podarce in California. In Systematics 
of Western North American Butterflies. pp. 287-302. 

Rounded Metalmark Calephelis nilus
	McAlpine, W.S. 1971. A revision of the butterfly genus 
Calephelis (Riodinidae). J.Res.Lepid. 10: 1-125.
	
Mormon Metalmark Apodemia mormo. 
	Pratt, G.F. and Ballmer, G.R. 1991. Three biotypes of Apodemia 
mormo (Riodinidae) in the Mojave desert. J.Lep.Soc. 45:46-57.

Zebra (Heliconian) Heliconius charithonia. 
	Brower, A.V.Z. 1994. The case of the missing H: Heliconius 
charithonia (L., 1767), not "Heliconius charitonia (L., 1767)" 
J.Lep.Soc. 48: 166-168.

Atlantis Fritillary Speyeria atlantis 
	Klassen, P. et.al. 1989. The Butterflies of Manitoba. Manitoba 
Museum of Man and Nature: Winnipeg
	Bird, C.D. et.al. 1995. Alberta Butterflies. Provincial Museum 
of Alberta: Edmonton 
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. 
University of Toronto Press: Toronto 
	Scott, J. 1998. "Speyeria hersperis and Speyeria atlantis are 
distinct species." Papilio New Series No. 8, pp 1-31. 

Zerene Fritillary Speyeria zerene  
	Emmel, T.C. and Austin, G.T. 1999. What is Arynnis carolae? The 
cytotaxonomy and systematic postion of a Speyeria relic species from 
Nevada. In Systematics of Western North American Butterflies. pp. 
443-450. 

Arctic Fritillary Boloria chariclea. 
	Shepard, J.H. 1999. The correct name for the Boloria 
chariclea/titania complex in North America. In Systematics of Western 
North American Butterflies. Emmel, T.C. ed. pp 727-730. 

Chinati Checkerspot/Theona Checkerspot  Thessalia chinatiensis/ theona. 
	Austin, G.T. and Smith, M.J. 1999. Revision of the Thessalia 
theona complex. In Systematics of Western North American Butterflies. 
pp. 359-396.

Cuban Crescent Phyciodes frisia
	Higgins, L.G. 1981. A revision of Phyciodes Hubner and related 
genera, with a review of the classification of the Melitaeinae 
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Bull. British Mus. (Natural Hist.), 
Entomology Series. 43: 77-243.
	
Northern Crescent Phyciodes selenis. 
	Scott, J.A. 1986. The courtship of Phyciodes, and the 
relationship between Phyciodes tharos tharos and Phyciodes tharos 
morpheus (=pascoensis) in Colorado. Papilio (New Series) 5: 1-8.
	Scott, J.A. 1994. Biology and systematics of Phyciodes. Papilio 
(New Series) 7:1-120.
	Porter, A.H. and Mueller, J.C. 1999. Partial genetic isolation 
between Phyciodes tharos and Phyciodes cocyta. J. Lep. Soc. 52: 182-205. 

Field Crescent Phyciodes campestris
	Scott, J.A. 1994. Biology and systematics of Phyciodes. Papilio 
(New Series). 7:1-120. 

Little Wood-Satyr/ Viola’s Wood-Satyr Megisto cymela /viola 
	Catling, Paul M.and Calhoun, John V. 1997. Genus Megisto in 
Florida and the taxonomic status of Megisto viola. Holarctic Lep. 
4:27-33.  Show that all differences between cymela and viola vary 
continuously and independently and that contrary to Oliver’s belief 
there is only one brood of any Megisto in Florida. 

Common Ringlet Coenonympha tullia
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 217.
	Webster, R.P. 1999. The life history of the Maritime Ringlet, 
Coenonympha tullia nipisiquit. J.Lep. Soc. 52: 345-355. 

Disa Alpine Erebia disa
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 221. 

Magdalena Alpine Erebia magdalena. 
	Hilchie, G.J. 1990. Classification, relationships, life history, 
and evolution of Erebia magdalena. Quaestiones Entomologicae 26: 
665-693.
	Layberry R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 223. 

Eskimo Alpine Erebia occulta
	Layberry et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. pg. 226. 

Ridings’ Satyr Neominois ridingsii
	Scott, J. 1998. New Western North American Butterflies. Papilio 
New Series No. 11 pp. 1-3.

White-veined Arctic Oeneis taygete
	Layberry et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. 

Mexican Longtail Polythrix mexicana
	Freeman. 1969. Records, new species and a new genus of 
Hesperidae from Mexico. J.Lep.Soc.23, suppl. 2: 1-61. 
	Janzen and Burns. 1999. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Valeriana Cloudywing Thorybes valeriana
	Burns, John M. 1996. Genitalia and the proper genus: Codatractus 
gets mysie and uvydixa – in a compact cyda group – as well as a 
hysterectomy, while cephise gets part of polythrix. J. Lep. Soc. 50: 
173-216. 

Jalapus Cloudywing Achalarus jalapus
	Steinhauser, S.R. 1989. Taxonomic notes and descriptions of new 
taxa in the Neotropical Hesperiidae. Part I. Pyrginae. Bull. Allyn Mus. 
62:1-42.

Violet-patched Skipper Monca telata
	Bell 1941. On Lerodea telata and tyrtaeus.   Ent. News 52, No. 
7, 183-185.
	Austin, George T., Haddad, N.M., Mendez, C., Sisk, T.D., Murphy, 
D.D., Launer, A.E. and Ehrlich, P.R. 1996. 	Preliminary annotated 
checklist of the butterflies of Tikal National park and vicinity, 
Guatemala. Trop. Lepid. 7: 21-37.	
	Austin, G.T., Mendez, C. and Launer, A.E. 1998. A preliminary 
checklist of Guatemala butterflies. Hesperidae. Trop. Lepid. 9 (suppl. 
2): 8-18.

Common Branded Skipper Hesperia comma
	Bird, C.D. et.al. 1995. Butterflies of Alberta.
	Layberry, R.A. et.al. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada.
	Scott, J. 1998. New Western North American Butterflies. Papilio 
New Series. No. 11, pp. 6. 

Prenda Roadside-Skipper Amblyscirtes tolteca.
	Freeman, H.A. 1993. Notes on Amblyscirtes Scudder, with the 
description of two new subspecies. Annals of Carnegie Mus. 62: 341-350. 

Purple-washed Skipper Panoquina sylvicola
	Robbins, R.K., Lamas, G., Mielke, G.H.H, Harvey, D.J. and 
Casagrande, M. 1996. Taxonomic composition and ecological structure of 
the species-rich butterfly community at Pakitza, Parque Nacional del 
Manuy, Peru. Pp. 217-252, in Manu: The Biodiversity of Southeastern 
Peru. Wilson, D.E. and Sandoval, A. (Eds.). Smithsonian Institution 
Press. Washington, D.C. 679pp.

Arizona Giant-Skipper Agathymus aryxna baueri; Agathymus aryxna gentryi. 
	Roever, K. Descriptions of new Agathymus from the southwestern 
United States. In Systematics of Western North American Butterflies. pp. 
491-500.


More information about the Leps-l mailing list