Introduction
The subfamily Dismorphiinae, to which the Wood Whites of Europe belong, has its headquarters in South America, where 51 different species are found. The neotropical genera include Dismorphia, Enantia, Lieinix, Patia, Moschoneura and Pseudopieris.
The 30 species in the genus Dismorphia are characterised by having long narrow almost elliptical fore-wings, and disproportionately large hindwings.
There are 6 subspecies of Dismorphia zethoe distributed variously from Costa Rica to Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana.
Habitats
This species is found in cloudforest at elevations between about 1400-2200m.
Lifecycle
Unknown, however DeVries states that several Dismorphia species in Costa Rica feed as larvae on Inga or Pithecellobium ( Mimosaceae ). In the case of most species in the subfamily Dismorphiinae, the eggs are spindle-shaped, and laid singly on the underside of leaves. In most ( probably all ) species the larvae are cryptically coloured – dark green above, and paler green below.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes are usually found as singletons flying in cloudforest. They pause frequently to nectar at flowers along the edges of roads and forest trails.
