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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Paradise Phantom
Cithaerias phantoma  FASSL, 1922
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - SATYRIINAE
Tribe - HAETERINI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Cithaerias phantoma, Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The colours of butterflies are produced by pigments in the wings scales, and sometimes structurally, by light refracting on prism-like ridges on the surface of the scales. Some species however are very thinly scaled, or lack wing scales almost entirely, revealing the transparent membrane of the wings.
 
In the neotropical region transparency is a common feature amongst the Danaine tribe Ithomiini, and also amongst the Satyrine tribe Haeterini.
 
The tribe Haeterini includes 5 genera - Haetera, Pierella, Cithaerias, Pseudohaetera and Dulcedo. All are noted for their elongated wings, which are transparent in all genera except Pierella.
 
There is contention amongst taxonomists as to the true number of species in the genus Cithaerias. Some consider there to be as many as 15 species, but the Lamas neotropical checklist ( 2005 ) only lists 5, namely andromeda, phantoma, pireta, pyritosa and pyropina.
 
Cithaerias phantoma is found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
 
Habitats
 
This species is found only in deeply shaded areas of primary rainforest, at altitudes between about 200-800m.
 
Lifecycle
 
Nothing is known of the lifecycle or foodplants of Cithaerias species. However it is possible to make some educated guesses. The larvae of all Satyrine butterflies feed on monocotyledons ( grasses, palms, bamboos, sedges, rushes, orchids, lilies etc ). The adult butterflies tend to be associated more strongly with palm than with bamboos or other monocotyledons. The larvae are likely to be similar to those of other Satyrines, namely slim, cylindrical, dull greenish or brownish in colour, with thin longitudinal stripes along the back and sides, devoid of setae or tubercles, and possessing caudal prongs, and a pair of knob-like projections on the head.
 
Adult behaviour

 

The adults are almost always encountered singly. They are denizens of the darkest and dampest recesses of the rainforest, and appear to be very localised. The butterflies are crepuscular in nature - they can sometimes be found in the middle of the day, but are far more often encountered at dusk than at any other time.

 

The flight is low over the ground, skulking and phantom-like. The wing beats are deep and slow, but the butterfly is capable of moving rapidly if disturbed. It normally settles with the wings closed, and at such times is extremely difficult to locate.

 

The butterflies tend to remain deep in the undergrowth, but emerge at dusk to feed at rotting palm fruits on the forest floor, or on fluids exuding from decomposing fungi. They remain stationary for long periods, but are easily put up, and if disturbed retreat into the undergrowth. However they are habitual in behaviour, and invariably return within a few minutes.

 

 
 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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