metalmark

American  

[met-l-mahrk] / ˈmɛt lˌmɑrk /

noun

1. any of the small, mostly tropical butterflies of the family Riodinidae, often having metallic-colored flecks on the wings.

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Etymology

Origin of metalmark

First recorded in 1905–10; metal + mark ¹

Example Sentences

Center dreams of traveling to Florida to see a showy metalmark, although she said she got excited recently to see a comparatively modest roadside skipper near Dorena Lake.

From Washington Times • Jul. 9, 2016

“Wild Ones” focuses on efforts to save the polar bear, the metalmark butterfly and the whooping crane.

From Washington Post • May 27, 2013

But somehow, the Lange’s metalmark has persisted in Antioch—just barely.

From Slate • May 7, 2013

Finkbeiner and Warren say many more questions remain about this "unique" behavior, including whether other metalmark butterflies do this.

From National Geographic

Biologists already knew that metalmark larvae produce a nutritious goo and feed it to ants in exchange for their protection from predators. 

From National Geographic