Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Blind Underleaf
Eurybia albiseriata
WEYMER, 1890
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - EURYBIINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Eurybia
albiseriata stellifera, Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru |
Introduction
There are about 20
Eurybia
Underleaf species, which occur variously throughout the neotropics from
Nicaragua and Honduras to southern Peru and Bolivia.
All have greyish or brownish uppersides with a series of
squarish submarginal markings. Some species, including
molochina,
lycisca
and
lamia
have a deep purple or metallic blue sheen across the upperside hindwings.
Almost all species also have a very prominent orange-ringed false eyespot (
ocellus ) in the discal cell of each forewing. Only
halimede, albiseriata
and elvina
( and the falcate-winged
carolina
and
pergaea
) lack these ocelli, and hence are commonly known as "blind" underleafs.
In
all species the
upperside pattern is repeated on the under surface, but the ground colour of the
under surface is a uniform pale grey, and the markings less conspicuous.
Eurybia
albiseriata occurs
in the upper Amazonian regions of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species occurs in primary rainforest at elevations
between about 200-800m. The butterflies are never seen in open sunlit areas,
instead preferring the darkness of the forest understorey.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The adults are very secretive by nature, spending long
periods resting under the leaves of low growing vegetation, with wings spread open,
while almost cheekily peering
out to keep a watchful eye on human intruders.
Periodically they dash out to investigate other butterflies, but
instantly return to settle under another nearby leaf. The speed of
flight is extraordinary, and the degree of agility apparent when they
fly into the vegetation, flip upside-down and settle under a leaf
is quite amazing to behold.
All
Eurybia species have extremely
long proboscises which enable them to
probe for nectar at the deep flowers of
Heliconia plants. The easiest way to observe the
butterfly is to find an isolated
Heliconia growing in the forest, and to wait
nearby until one arrives.
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