Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cramer's Teaser
Arawacus dolylas
CRAMER, 1777
Family - LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
THECLINAE
Tribe - EUMAEINI
Arawacus dolylas, Ecuador
© Tony Hoare
Introduction
All neotropical Theclines are placed in the tribe Eumaeini, which comprises of
1,058 currently known species
classified into 83
genera. The Eumaeini are very poorly represented in museum collections, and
until very recently were ignored by most workers, the exception being Robbins,
whose revision of the tribe was published in the Lamas neotropical checklist,
2004. It is hardly surprising therefore, especially when taking into account the
small size of the butterflies and their secretive habits, that it is estimated
that there are probably several hundred species still awaiting discovery.
There
are 18 species of
Arawacus,
all confined to the neotropical region. All have a similar pattern of brown or
black stripes radiating from the tornus of the hindwing and terminating at
points along the forewing costa. In many species including
separata and togarna the stripes are well
defined and stand out in high contrast against a white ground colour. In others
such as dolylas the effect is more subtle and
serves to disrupt the outline of the butterfly, rendering it invisible as it
rests on soil, or among dead leaves.
Arawacus
dolylas is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam and Ecuador.
Habitats
This species is found in sunny areas along forest trails, at altitudes between about
400-1200m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
To be completed.
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