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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Jordan's Sister
Adelpha jordani  FRUHSTORFER, 1913
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - LIMENITIDINI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Jordan's Sister Adelpha jordani, Manu, alt. 600m, Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
There are 84 known species of Adelpha, all confined to Central and South America, with the exception of one species A. bredowii which occurs as far north as California.
 
All Adelpha species have dark brown uppersides, with a band or patch of orange or pink on the forewings. Most species also have a band or patch of white on the hindwings, which in some species extends onto the forewings. A few more examples from Peru are illustrated below :
 

Adelpha erotia

 Adelpha alala

Adelpha irmina

 Adelpha lycorias

Adelpha thessalia

 Adelpha mesentina
 
Adelpha jordani is restricted to the upper Amazonian areas of Peru and Bolivia.
 
Habitats
 
This species is found in lowland rainforest at altitudes between about 200-700m.
 
Lifecycle
 
Unknown, but the following generalisations are applicable to the genus Adelpha :
 
The larval foodplants of Adelpha species are diverse, although the majority of species feed on Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae or Ulmaceae.
 
The eggs of most species are white or pale green, and laid singly on the foliage of the foodplants.
 
The larvae, which are cryptically coloured, have 2 rows of conspicuous spines along the back, with those on the first two segments enlarged and directed forward, while the third pair are directed backward.
 
The pupae, which are suspended by the cremaster, are in some species green or brown, while others are entirely silver, and shiny. The pupae of some species are decorated with numerous spikes and projections, and sometimes have very prominent palpi.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Most Adelpha species tend to be seen singly or in small groups, but Adelpha jordani is a gregarious species, sometimes found in very large numbers. In August 2007, when travelling by boat along the Rio Alto Madre de Dios in Peru, we broke our journey for a few minutes, exploring a large exposed shingle bank, and found at least 200 Adelpha jordani present along a strip measuring perhaps 50 x 10 metres. The butterflies were extremely active, flitting from spot to spot, basking for a moment here and there. They were all in fresh condition, which appeared to indicate a localised mass emergence, rather than a gathering of migrants.

 

 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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