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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
unidentified Metalmark
Detritivora
or
Chalodeta
( species unidentified )
Family -
RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Detritivora
or
Chalodeta
species,
Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The neotropical Riodinidae
includes a group of genera, namely
Charis,
Chalodeta,
Detritivora and Dachetola
which are characterised by having orange borders containing a
series of black dots, and bordered either side by metallic silver
lines. Males in this group have a blackish or very dark brown ground
colour, while the females are generally a lighter
shade of brown. In most species both sexes have a distinctive
pattern of dark spots that shows on both wing surfaces, although
in a few species the upperside ground colour is so dark that the
spots are undetectable.
Distinguishing the species is often difficult, and even
determining the genus can pose problems, as several species
have been transferred from one genus into another as more
has been learnt about their biology. By way of example, two Colombian species named
Charis matic and
Charis ma by Harvey & Hall in 2002 have
since been transferred to the less flatteringly named genus
Detritivora. The latter genus name refers to the fact that the
larvae feed on detritus ( decaying leaf matter ) on the forest
floor.
It has been suggested
that the insect depicted
above is a female of
Detritus gynaea or D. cleonus,
but the shape of the forewing is more characteristic of
Chalodeta,
so the identification should be regarded as speculative.
It was photographed in
primary rainforest on the Rio Madre de Dios in Peru, altitude
circa 400m.
Habitats
The illustrated butterfly was found basking on low foliage at a
light gap in primary rainforest at an altitude of about 400m on
the Rio Madre de Dios. I am unable to comment further on the
distribution as I have been unable to confirm the identity of the species.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The butterfly depicted appears to be a female, and was seen
basking on low foliage at a light gap.
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