# Rhetus

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***Rhetus*** is a [Neotropical](/source/Neotropical) [metalmark](/source/Riodinidae) butterfly [genus](/source/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](/source/Rainforest).

The genus was erected by [William Swainson](/source/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](/source/Junior_synonym), the older name having priority.

*Rhetus periander* often features in butterfly wall displays.

## Species

The three species are:[1]

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

## References

1. [*Rhetus*](http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/riodinidae/rhetus/index.html) at Markku Savela's website on Lepidoptera

- Lamas, G. ed. (2004). *Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 4A Hesperioidea - Papilionoidea*. Gainesville: Scientific Publishers/Association of Tropical Lepidoptera.

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