Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Pyropina Phantom
Cithaerias pyropina
SALVIN & GODMAN, 1868
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
SATYRINAE
Tribe - HAETERINI
Cithaerias
pyropina, Ecuador
© Tony Hoare
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.
The tribe Haeterini is confined
exclusively to the neotropical region. All members of this tribe
are elusive crepuscular butterflies which spend their lives
skulking deep in the undergrowth. There are 5 genera -
Pierella,
Pseudohaetera, Haetera,
Dulcedo and
Cithaerias. All butterflies in the latter 4 genera have
rounded transparent wings, with small ocelli at the apex of the
hindwings.
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
to quote Bernard d'Abrera "it all depends on how you define a species". The Lamas
neotropical checklist ( 2005 ) only lists 5 - pireta
( previously known as menander
), andromeda,
phantoma,
pyritosa
and pyropina.
Because of the confusion about how many
Cithaerias
species actually exist, it is almost impossible to give a reliable guide to the
distribution range of this or any of the other very similar members of the
genus.
Habitats
This species, in common with all members of the Haeterini, is found only in
deeply shaded areas of rainforest. It appears to occur at altitudes between sea
level and about 1500m, in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and south-west Brazil, but there is much confusion
regarding the geographical ranges of the various species and
subspecies in this genus.
Lifecycle
Nothing is known of the
lifecycle or foodplants of
Cithaerias
species. However it is possible to make some educated guesses. The larvae of
almost all
Satyrine butterflies feed on monocotyledons, i.e. grasses, palms, bamboos, sedges,
rushes, orchids & lilies.
The adult butterflies tend to be associated more
strongly with palm than with bamboos or other monocotyledons, which may possibly
be indicative of the larval foodplant. 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. Upon settling it usually turns quickly around, and
tilts slightly forward so that the "false eye" on the underside
hindwing is raised. This ocellus, together with the bright pink
area, and the oval shape of the hindwings, may function to
simulate the head of a small snake, deterring any bird, reptile or
amphibian that detects where it has settled.
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 often return
within a few minutes.
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