Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Painted Beauty
Batesia hypochlora
FELDER & FELDER,
1862
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - AGERONIINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Batesia hypochlora, Rio Shima,
Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The
Biblidinae are recognised by their diverse but simple and very colourful
patterns. Among their representatives in the neotropics is the subtribe Ageroniina,
which includes
the
Ectima
Banners,
the
Hamadryas
Crackers, the
Panacea
Flashers and the Painted Beauty, which is the sole member of the genus
Batesia.
The
underside hindwings of this species are yellow, varying in tone from pale cream
to deep saffron depending on locality.
Batesia
hypochlora
is found in the upper Amazon basin of Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.
Batesia hypochlora, Rio Shima,
Satipo, Peru
Habitats
This species occurs in primary rainforest at altitudes between about 200-1200m.
Batesia hypochlora, Rio Shima,
Satipo, Peru
Lifecycle
This appears to be unknown.
Adult behaviour
Painted
Beauties are usually encountered as solitary males. They are most
often seen basking with
wings outspread, in a head downward or sideways position on tree
trunks, usually near the base of a tree in small shaded forest
glades.
They also sometimes
settle on rocks or boulders by small streams or rivers. I have observed
them basking
and feeding at various times between dawn and mid afternoon. If
disturbed they normally fly high up into the trees, but usually
return to ground level a few minutes later.
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