Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Glorious
Purplewing
Eunica sophonisba
CRAMER, 1780
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - EPICALIINI
subtribe -
EPICALIINA
Eunica
sophonisba, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Eunica
contains 40 species colloquially known as Purplewings due to the dazzling purple
or metallic blue iridescence on the uppersides of the males. Females lack the
iridescence, and are typically a dull earthy brown colour with a diagonal white
band across the forewings. The underside hindwings of most species are
beautifully marbled, and bear a
distinctive arrangement of ocelli.
Eunica sophonisba
is one of the most spectacular species with an intense blue-purple iridescence.
The closely related species
chlororhoa is similar but reflects metallic green instead of blue from the upperside hindwings.
Eunica sophonisba
occurs in Venezuela, Surinam, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
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Eunica
sophonisba, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru |
Habitats
This species inhabits lowland primary rainforest at elevations between about
100-900m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of Eunica
species in general is poorly known and I can find no published details of the early stages
of this species. The eggs of most Eunica
species are laid singly on the flowers and leaf buds of trees including Mabea
( Euphorbiaceae ) and
Bursera ( Burseraceea ). The larvae are
likely to vary considerably in colouration and pattern from species to species,
but generally have short spines along the sides, and a single row of longer
erect spines on the last 3 segments of the body.
Adult behaviour
Males of this species inhabit
light gaps within the forest, and adopt territorial perches,
typically on the foliage of low tree branches, from which they
dart out at high speed to intercept other passing butterflies. As
they do so, the wings reflect shades of blue so intense that they
make many Morpho species seem
insipid by comparison.
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