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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Grey Emesis
Emesis eurydice
GODMAN, 1903
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe -
Incertae sedis
Emesis eurydice, male, Catarata
Bayoz, Le Merced,
Peru
Introduction
The
distinctive wing pattern and shape of
Emesis
make them instantly recognisable as a genus, but some of the 41 known species can be
very difficult to tell apart.
This species for example was, along with
fastidiosa, castigata,
liodes, aurimna, glaucescens
and spreta, formerly considered to be a "form" or
subspecies of Emesis lucinda, but all of these taxa have since been elevated
to the status of full species.
The male of
Emesis eurydice can be distinguished from
lucinda
by the more clearly defined, and more linear black markings of the former.
On the underside of the wings lucinda is a unicolorous orange, with black
markings; eurydice differs in having a two-tone underside - reddish orange on
the basal two-thirds, and dark brown on the outer third. The females of both
species have a pale earthy brown ground colour on the upperside, with a
prominent white patch at the falcate apex. On the underside they are a dirty
brownish-white colour, marked with dark brown.
The
butterfly is found in the eastern Andes of Ecuador and Peru and in Mato Grosso
state, Brazil.
Habitats
This species occurs in primary and secondary forest habitats at
altitudes between about 200-900m.
Lifecycle
I have no
information specific to eurydice. The eggs of
Emesis species are typically white and highly
sculptured. They are laid singly or in clusters of up to 30, according to
species. The known larval foodplants encompass the families Ranunculaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Sterculiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Nyctaginaceae.
Emesis eurydice, male, Catarata
Bayoz, Le Merced,
Peru
Adult behaviour
On sunny days males are often seen imbibing
moisture from shady forest
tracks or dry river beds, but in overcast conditions they commonly
appear in more open situations, and sometimes settle on foliage in
forest edge habitats. When feeding they usually hold the wings outspread, and
often dip their antennae, presumably to "taste" the substrate.
Females are seen
much less frequently as they spend most of their time within the
forest.
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