Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Blue-spotted Firewing
Catonephele numilia
CRAMER, 1775
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - EPICALIINI
subtribe -
EPICALIINA
Catonephele
numilia, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Catonephele
contains 11 species, with wingspans of circa 65-80mm. The males are dark
brown on the upperside with dazzling reflective orange patches
which vary in size and shape from species to species.
Females are entirely
different in appearance. In most species they have dark brown wings marked with
linear rows of cream spots. The female of numilia
however has a large cream patch in the median area of the forewing, and has the basal
and submarginal areas of the hindwings deep red.
Both
sexes of all species have cryptic undersides in shades of
brown.
Catonephele numilia
occurs from Mexico to Peru.
Catonephele
numilia, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced, Peru
Habitats
This species breeds in wet rainforest at altitudes between 0-1000m.
Lifecycle
The
egg is barrel-shaped, white, and laid singly on the foliage of Alchornea
( Euphorbiaceae ).
The
fully grown caterpillar is green mottled
with white spots. It is adorned with whorled orange spikes along the back, and
green spikes along the sides. The
pupa is green with brown or silvery wing pads. It is attached by the cremaster
to leaves, with the body projecting laterally.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually encountered singly. Males perch on
tree trunks and rock faces, often in a head-downwards posture.
They also 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.
Males often imbibe
mineral-rich moisture from damp earth along forest tracks and
roads.
If alarmed they fly up and spend a few moments circling cautiously,
but soon resettle close to their original position.
Females are
scarcer, and usually seen when searching for oviposition sites
along forest trails. They can occasionally be seen basking on sunlit paths.
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