Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Godart's Sailor
Dynamine ines
GODART, 1824
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - EUBAGINI
subtribe -
EUBAGINA
Dynamine ines,
Peru © Tony
Hoare
Introduction
The
Biblidinae are known for their diverse but simple and colourful
patterns. In the neotropics their representatives include the subtribe Eubagina,
within which are
placed the 40
Dynamine
species.
Most
Dynamine species
including ines have metallic bluish or greenish uppersides, with a dark
apex and a series of white spots. Some species however are white, with black
markings. The undersides of most species are white, attractively marked with
narrow bands of orange - and in some species also with conspicuous ocelli and small
patches of metallic blue scales.
The greatest diversity of
Dynamine species is found in the Amazon basin, but the distribution of the genus ranges
from Mexico to Bolivia.
Dynamine
ines
is distributed from Colombia to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in disturbed rainforest at altitudes between
about 200-1200 m.
Lifecycle
The eggs of most
Dynamine
species are white. They are laid singly on the leaf axils or flower buds of
Euphorbiaceae genera such as
Tragia
and
Dalechampia.
The larvae are
described by DeVries as being slug-like, with tiny rosettes of
spines on the back. The pupae are greenish, elongate, with a
slightly bifid head and a pronounced dorsal keel, and suspended by
the cremaster from stems or leaves.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies are only active in hot sunny conditions, when they can be
seen flying rapidly in zig-zag fashion along sunny tracks in the
mornings. During the afternoon males visit dry river beds,
well vegetated rocky river beaches and damp ground along sunlit
forest tracks and roads.
The wings are normally kept closed, but
they periodically fan them as they flit about from spot to
spot on the ground, probing for mineral-rich moisture.
In
cooler conditions both sexes also
bask on low foliage, with wings half open.
|
