Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Zavaleta Glasswing
Godyris zavaleta
HEWITSON, 1855
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
DANAINAE
Tribe - ITHOMIINI
subtribe -
GODYRIDINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Godyris
zavaleta telesilla, Rio Pindayo, Peru.
Introduction
The tribe
Ithomiini contains 372 known species, all of which are confined
to the neotropics. They
can be divided rather unscientifically into 2 groups - the
Tigers and the Glasswings, although both types are represented in
some genera, including
Godyris.
The
genus Godyris comprises 14 very attractive species, characterised by their distinctive venation, heavy
submarginal spotting, and clouded hyaline areas.
Godyris
zavaleta is the most
widely distributed species in the genus, occurring from Costa Rica to southern
Peru.
Godyris
zavaleta telesilla, Satipo, Peru.
Habitats
This is a lowland and mid-elevation rainforest species which is found at
altitudes between sea level and about 500m on the eastern slopes of the
Andean foothills and Central American cordilleras.
Lifecycle
The eggs are white, and
laid singly on the foliage of Solanaceae.
The
caterpillars are hairless, unornamented, and pale translucent green in colour,
with a shiny yellow head. They feed diurnally on the leaves of Solanum.
The
chrysalis is also pale translucent green, dotted with black on the wing cases,
and has yellow spiracles. It is squat in shape, with a strongly humped back, and
suspended by the cremaster from the underside of leaves.
Godyris
zavaleta telesilla, Tingo Maria, Peru.
Adult behaviour
The
butterfly is widespread but generally uncommon, and always encountered as
singletons. It is usually seen when disturbed from rest on ferns
or the foliage of sapling trees growing in light gaps in damp areas of the
forest understorey.
The flight is
slow and fluttery, with the characteristic deep wing-beats of
Ithomiines.
The butterflies
often visit the orchid Epidendrum
panniculatum and may be important pollinators. In early
morning and late afternoon they also
commonly visit Eupatorium for nectar.
|
