Butterflies of the
Amazon and Andes
Aulestes
Doctor
Ancyluris aulestes
CRAMER, 1777
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Ancyluris
aulestes, Satipo, Peru
© Peter Bruce-Jones
Introduction
The
genus
Ancyluris
comprises of 16 beautiful tailed Riodinids, all confined to the neotropical
region. They are closely related to the genus
Rhetus,
so much so that the females of
Ancyluris aristodorus
and
Rhetus periander
are almost indistinguishable, at least from the uppersides.
Most
Ancyluris species have black uppersides marked with red bands which
tend to be paler in the females. The configuration of the bands on the
hindwings is the primary diagnostic for distinguishing between the various
species. In melior the black ground colour often
has a purplish sheen. Two species,
formosissima
and
aristodorus are marked with broad white
bands instead of the usual red. One species
inca,
has a flush of metallic blue on the upperside hindwings. Most species are bright metallic blue
on the underside, marked in some species with patches
of red. Males of all Ancyluris species have a blue
iridescence on the underside of the wings.
Ancyluris
aulestes occurs in
Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru.
Habitats
This is a lowland and mid-elevation rainforest species found at altitudes
between about 200-1000m.
Lifecycle
I have no data regarding
aulestes but the lifecycle is likely to be similar
to that of other Ancyluris species as
follows: The eggs are white and highly sculptured. They are laid
singly in fissures on the stems or twigs of the foodplants.
Egg-laying females tend to
settle high up, then walk backwards down the stem, probing with
the ovipositor in various places before depositing each egg.
The larval foodplants are trees in the families Melastomaceae and Euphorbiaceae.
The larvae are gregarious, living in small groups of mixed
instars. They are reported to be cannibalistic.
Adult behaviour
Males can be found imbibing moisture from bare soil or
sandy riverbanks in early morning and late afternoon. They
are more likely to be found in
shady areas than in full sunshine. In late morning they perch
under the leaves of trees or bushes. Any passing
Ancyluris of either sex is
intercepted and challenged. After sorties males return to their
original position. Both sexes nectar at
Lantana, Cordia,
Croton,
Eupatorium and other flowers.
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