[SoWestLep] Fatal Metalmark

[Fred Heath]

Dear Mark,

            Thanks for the input. As you say it is interesting. There has
been a continuing series of articles in NABA's American Butterflies by Harry
Zirlin on the origin of butterfly names. As you point out many of the names
tie to mythological characters such as from Greek, Roman and Norse
literature. Harry's latest article concerned a lot of the eastern skippers
whose names have Native American derivations.

---Best regards, Fred

 

  _____  

From: Mark Walker [mailto:walkerm at gat.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 7:19 PM
To: Fred Heath; 'Leps-l'; SoWestLep at yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [SoWestLep] Fatal Metalmark

 

Fred,

 

I have no idea why the name "Fatal" has stuck, unless it is somehow
associated with the Latin name "nemesis".  I just recently prepared a
presentation on "Greek Mythology in Lepidoptera" for a high school English
class here in North County where I was able to share specimens of various
butterfly species and ssp. whose names are associated with Greek Gods,
Heroes, and other characters from literature.  Lots of Metalmarks in this
category.  The specimens spanned all major families and came from every
continent.  Lots of fun.  

 

Here is the bio for Nemesis  (from http://www.theoi.com/Encyc_N.html ):

 

 The goddess of indignation and retribution for hybristic behaviour and
undeserved good fortune. After being seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan,
she lay the egg from which Helen was hatched 

 

Perhaps not any help with your specific question, but interesting
nevertheless.

 

Mark.

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Fred Heath
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 12:56 PM
To: 'Leps-l'; SoWestLep at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SoWestLep] Fatal Metalmark

The other day at a presentation on California butterflies someone asked why
the Fatal Metalmark (Celephelis nemesis) is named "fatal". Since I had no
idea, I hypothesized out loud that the original collector of this species
was having trouble catching it and so it became his "nemesis". Finally one
day he was so excited to see it nectaring on a nearby flower, he leaned over
and swung his net catching the type specimen of the butterfly, but not
realizing the flower was on the edge of cliff, plunged to his death. So his
nemesis was fatal to him! Although this got a big laugh, I also became
curious (and yes I know curiosity killed the cat) as to where the name came
from? Anybody out there know? 
--Best regards, Fred

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