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protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
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Butterflies of
the Amazon rainforest
"89" butterfly
Diaethria clymena
CRAMER, 1775
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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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Adrian Hoskins
Diaethria clymena,
male, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
"89" or "88" numerals which appear on the underside hindwings of this species
are present in all of the dozen members of the genus
Diaethria,
but vary in colour, thickness and shape according to species.
The
butterflies often frequent human dwellings, and are considered a sign of good
luck by many communities.
The
genus is confined to the neotropics, with 3 species found in Mexico, while the
remainder are largely Amazonian or Andean.
The
uppersides are blackish, marked on the forewings with a diagonal band of
metallic blue or green. In some species ( including
clymena
) this colour is repeated on the hindwings in the form of a submarginal band.
Diaethria clymena,
male, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Habitats
This species occurs at elevations between about 100 - 2000m, in rainforest and
cloud-forest habitats where the larval foodplants
Trema
( Ulmaceae ) grow.
Lifecycle
The eggs, in common with those of other
Diaethria
species, are whitish, and laid singly on the leaves of the foodplant.
The
caterpillar is green, with a slightly roughened texture, and bears a pair of
short spikes on the anal segment. The head bears a pair of very long whorled
spikes which are pointed forward. The caterpillar rests on the upper surface of
a leaf, with the thoracic segments raised, and the head pointing downwards.
The
chrysalis is suspended by the cremaster from a leaf or stem. It is green, with a
dorsal keel, and projecting palpi.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes are attracted to rotting fruit. The males are strongly attracted to urine-soaked sand, and also imbibe dissolved minerals from damp soil, road surfaces and rock faces. They are very active butterflies, easily disturbed, and rarely settle for more than a few seconds at a time in one spot, although they will return repeatedly to the same patch of ground.
They are usually seen in two's or three's, but sometimes congregate in large numbers at favoured spots, often on sandbanks close to jetties, or at riverbanks where laundry is washed.
When not feeding, males will perch on the upper surface of leaves at a height of about 3 metres, awaiting passing females.
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