Today I was editing a footage I recently took in the DR and didn’t notice until watching the footage that a butterfly quickly flew into view and was caught on video. I was actually filming the Yaque del Norte River in Jarabacoa as each day it rised more than the previous day (there were rocks that were jutting out of the river on the first day and by the third or fourth day they were completely submerged.)
I have been trying to identify what butterfly is this, but though there are images of all sorts of butterflies of Hispaniola, none look like this butterfly. Apparently, a handful of butterfly species are widespread on the island, but the vast majority of butterfly species exist in the Central Mountains of the DR and then most of those are highly area specific as they aren’t widespread through the mountains. Plus, many specialists on Hispaniola butterflies think there are many species native and unique to the island that haven’t been identified or discovered yet. I don’t think this is one of them since it isn’t in one of the national parks where a butterfly specie could exist there not detected by anyone, but who knows.
Here is a printscreen from the best and most clear footage of the butterfly. It goes into view and out of view in mere seconds. This was in October 2024.
I have been trying to identify what butterfly is this, but though there are images of all sorts of butterflies of Hispaniola, none look like this butterfly. Apparently, a handful of butterfly species are widespread on the island, but the vast majority of butterfly species exist in the Central Mountains of the DR and then most of those are highly area specific as they aren’t widespread through the mountains. Plus, many specialists on Hispaniola butterflies think there are many species native and unique to the island that haven’t been identified or discovered yet. I don’t think this is one of them since it isn’t in one of the national parks where a butterfly specie could exist there not detected by anyone, but who knows.
Here is a printscreen from the best and most clear footage of the butterfly. It goes into view and out of view in mere seconds. This was in October 2024.
