Prodryas
Encyclopedia
Prodryas persephone is an extinct butterfly
, known from a single specimen from Eocene
rocks. It was the first fossil butterfly to be found in North America, and is unusually well preserved. Its closest relatives are the genera Hypanartia
and Antanartia
.
of Harvard University
, was the first fossil butterfly to be found in North America, and has been described as "possibly the best fossil butterfly specimen ever found". The appearance of a figure of Prodryas in Samuel Hubbard Scudder
's book Frail Children of the Air influenced the young Frank M. Carpenter
to embark on a career in paleoentomology. Scudder exhibited the specimen at the Royal Entomological Society of London
in December 1893.
, discovered by the "homesteader turned naturalist
" Charlotte Hill, in shale
deposits of Late Eocene age of the Florissant Formation
near Florissant, Colorado
.
The butterfly has a wing length of 24.5 mm (0.964566929133858 in), and the specimen is complete, although the trailing edge of one hind wing was originally covered. The upper surface of the animal is visible, and the legs can only barely be seen. The head is turned to one side, revealing the mouthparts
as well as both antennae
. The wing venation is exquisitely preserved, and even the patterns of color on the wings are clearly visible. Individual wing scales can be discerned in parts of the forewing.
described the new genus and species Prodryas persephone in 1878, although the first figure only appeared in 1899. The specific epithet persephone alludes to Persephone
, the daughter of Zeus
. Two other species named by Scudder in the same work also bear names referring to the underworld
in Greek mythology
: Lithopsyche styx (referring to the river Styx
) and Jupiteria charon (referring to Charon
).
Although placed in a separate genus, Prodryas persephone is thought to be closely related to Hypanartia
, and may be even closer to Antanartia
.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
, known from a single specimen from Eocene
Eocene
The Eocene Epoch, lasting from about 56 to 34 million years ago , is a major division of the geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Eocene spans the time from the end of the Palaeocene Epoch to the beginning of the Oligocene Epoch. The start of the...
rocks. It was the first fossil butterfly to be found in North America, and is unusually well preserved. Its closest relatives are the genera Hypanartia
Hypanartia
Hypanartia, commonly called mapwings, is a genus in the Nymphalidae family found from Mexico to South America.-Species:* Hypanartia bella – Bella Mapwing* Hypanartia celestia Lamas, Willmott & Hall, 2001...
and Antanartia
Antanartia
Antanartia, commonly called Admirals, is a genus in the Nymphalidae family found in southern Africa. They live along forest edges and are strongly attracted to rotting fruit and plant juices...
.
Significance
The type specimen, now held at the Museum of Comparative ZoologyMuseum of Comparative Zoology
The Museum of Comparative Zoology, full name "The Louis Agassiz Museum of Comparative Zoology", often abbreviated simply to "MCZ", is a zoology museum located on the grounds of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of three museums which collectively comprise the Harvard Museum...
of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, was the first fossil butterfly to be found in North America, and has been described as "possibly the best fossil butterfly specimen ever found". The appearance of a figure of Prodryas in Samuel Hubbard Scudder
Samuel Hubbard Scudder
Samuel Hubbard Scudder was an American entomologist and palaeontologist.Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Scudder may be most widely known for his essay on the importance of first-hand, careful observation in the natural sciences...
's book Frail Children of the Air influenced the young Frank M. Carpenter
Frank M. Carpenter
Frank M. Carpenter received his PhD from Harvard University, and was curator of fossil insects at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology for 60 years. He studied the Permian fossil insects of Elmo, Kansas, and compared the North American fossil insect fauna with Paleozoic taxa known from...
to embark on a career in paleoentomology. Scudder exhibited the specimen at the Royal Entomological Society of London
Royal Entomological Society of London
The Royal Entomological Society of London is devoted to insect study. It has a major national and international role in disseminating information about insects and improving communication between entomologists....
in December 1893.
Description
The single known specimen of P. persephone is a compression fossilCompression fossil
A compression fossil is a fossil preserved in sedimentary rock that has undergone physical compression. While it is uncommon to find animals preserved as good compression fossils, it is very common to find plants preserved this way...
, discovered by the "homesteader turned naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
" Charlotte Hill, in shale
Shale
Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. The ratio of clay to other minerals is variable. Shale is characterized by breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering...
deposits of Late Eocene age of the Florissant Formation
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a United States National Monument in Teller County, Colorado, that is noted for its fossils. It is located in a mountain valley just west of Pikes Peak and holds spectacular remnants of prehistoric life...
near Florissant, Colorado
Florissant, Colorado
Florissant is a census-designated place and a U.S. Post Office in Teller County, Colorado, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 104.Florissant, Colorado, was named after Florissant, Missouri, the hometown of the founding family...
.
The butterfly has a wing length of 24.5 mm (0.964566929133858 in), and the specimen is complete, although the trailing edge of one hind wing was originally covered. The upper surface of the animal is visible, and the legs can only barely be seen. The head is turned to one side, revealing the mouthparts
Insect mouthparts
Insects exhibit a range of mouthparts, adapted to particular modes of feeding. The earliest insects had chewing mouthparts...
as well as both antennae
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
. The wing venation is exquisitely preserved, and even the patterns of color on the wings are clearly visible. Individual wing scales can be discerned in parts of the forewing.
Taxonomy
Based on Charlotte Hill's specimen, Samuel Hubbard ScudderSamuel Hubbard Scudder
Samuel Hubbard Scudder was an American entomologist and palaeontologist.Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Scudder may be most widely known for his essay on the importance of first-hand, careful observation in the natural sciences...
described the new genus and species Prodryas persephone in 1878, although the first figure only appeared in 1899. The specific epithet persephone alludes to Persephone
Persephone
In Greek mythology, Persephone , also called Kore , is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld; she was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld....
, the daughter of Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
. Two other species named by Scudder in the same work also bear names referring to the underworld
Greek underworld
The Greek underworld was made up of various realms believed to lie beneath the earth or at its farthest reaches.This includes:* The great pit of Tartarus, originally the exclusive prison of the old Titan gods, it later came to be the dungeon home of damned souls.* The land of the dead ruled by the...
in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
: Lithopsyche styx (referring to the river Styx
Styx
In Greek mythology the Styx is the river that forms the boundary between the underworld and the world of the living, as well as a goddess and a nymph that represents the river.Styx may also refer to:-Popular culture:...
) and Jupiteria charon (referring to Charon
Charon (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Charon or Kharon is the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. A coin to pay Charon for passage, usually an obolus or danake, was sometimes placed in or on...
).
Although placed in a separate genus, Prodryas persephone is thought to be closely related to Hypanartia
Hypanartia
Hypanartia, commonly called mapwings, is a genus in the Nymphalidae family found from Mexico to South America.-Species:* Hypanartia bella – Bella Mapwing* Hypanartia celestia Lamas, Willmott & Hall, 2001...
, and may be even closer to Antanartia
Antanartia
Antanartia, commonly called Admirals, is a genus in the Nymphalidae family found in southern Africa. They live along forest edges and are strongly attracted to rotting fruit and plant juices...
.