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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Acontius Firewing
Catonephele acontius
LINNAEUS,
1771
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - EPICALIINI
subtribe -
EPICALIINA
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Catonephele
acontius, Pantiacolla, Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Catonephele
contains 11 large species, with wingspans of circa 65-80mm. The males are dark
brown on the upperside, with bright orange patches,
which vary in size and shape according to species. The brilliance of the orange
is impossible to convey in a photograph, but can be described as fiery, dazzling
and awe-inspiring.
The females are entirely
different in appearance. In most species their dark brown wings are marked with
linear rows of cream spots. The exception is numilia,
which has a large cream patch in the median area of the forewing, and the basal
and submarginal areas of the hindwings deep red.
Both
sexes of all species have cryptic undersides patterned variously in shades of
brown.
Catonephele acontius
occurs from Colombia to Bolivia.
Catonephele acontius, Pantiacolla, Rio Alto Madre
de Dios, Peru
Habitats
This species breeds in lowland rainforest at
altitudes of between circa 200-800metres.
Lifecycle
I have no data relating to
acontius.
The following is applicable generally to the genus
Catonephele:
The
eggs are barrel-shaped, white or yellowish, and laid singly on seedling trees in
the genera Alchornea, Dalechampia
or Veconcibea
( Euphorbiaceae ).
The
fully grown caterpillars are variable, some species being dark green and mottled
with white spots, while others are black with maroon markings. In all species
the larvae bear prominent whorled spikes along the back and sides. They rest
with the front of the body arched so that the head faces downward, and the body
held in an 'S' shape. If attacked by parasitoids or predators they wriggle
violently.
The
pupae are green, with brown or silvery wing-cases, and attached by the cremaster
to leaves, so that the body projects laterally.
Catonephele acontius, Pantiacolla, Rio Alto Madre
de Dios, Peru
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually encountered singly. Males perch on
tree trunks, and bask on foliage or on fallen branches in light
gaps, often less than a metre above ground level, and are
reminiscent in behaviour of Nessaea.
If disturbed they usually spend a few moments circling cautiously,
but then resettle close to their original position.
Females are
scarcer, and usually seen when searching for oviposition sites
along forest trails, but occasionally bask on sunlit paths.
Both sexes are
attracted to rotting plantain or banana on the ground, and
probably feed primarily at overripe fruits in the forest canopy.
Males also imbibe mineral-rich moisture from damp earth along
forest tracks and roads.
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