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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Messana Sister
Adelpha messana FELDER
& FELDER, 1867
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - LIMENITIDINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Adelpha messana
delphicola,
Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
There are 85 known species of
Adelpha,
all but one of which are confined to the neotropical region.
Adelpha
are characterised by having a distinctive marbled pattern overlaid on a
dark brown ground colour; and by the presence of a broad orange or white band on the
forewings. The hindwings of most species have a white median band.
While it is easy to recognise the genus, determining the individual
species
can be very difficult - a problem exacerbated by misidentified or
mislabelled specimens in several entomological books. The only reliable
identification resource
is "The genus Adelpha" by Keith Willmott. Accurate identification requires
careful examination of the configuration of orange markings in the subapical area
on the forewing. In most cases it is also essential to examine the patterning on
the undersides, by which means otherwise similar species can be
distinguished.
Adelpha messana
occurs
from Guatemala to Bolivia. the illustrated subspecies
delphicola occurs from southern Venezuela to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species breeds in
primary rainforest
at altitudes between
about sea level and 800m.
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 are cryptically coloured and 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
Adelpha
messana is
usually seen
singly,
perching on sunlit foliage,
or visiting fermenting guava and other fruits in light gaps in the
forest. Occasionally males can be seen mud-puddling in open areas
such as sandbanks and bare ground in the vicinity of forest
villages.
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