Libythea cinyras (SciiFii)

Libythea cinyras is a species of butterfly in the nymphalid subfamily Libytheinae. It is endemic to Mauritius and was once extinct since the mid-Holocene, but has since been brought back from extinction and reintroduced throughout Mauritius to help boost biodiversity. Variable in the extent and breadth of the orange-yellow markings and in the mottling and ground colour of the underside. Typically males and females have the ground colour on the upperside dark brown, with the following orange-yellow markings: Forewing: a streak from the base along the median vein extending narrowly on each side of it and continued beyond as a comparatively large oval spot in base of interspace 2; two preapical double spots placed obliquely to the costa. The species is known to mud-puddle like other members of the Libythea genus and feeds on several plant species. The conservation status of this butterfly species is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to conservationists, this butterfly is a protected species.