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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Feronia Cracker
Hamadryas feronia
LINNAEUS,
1758
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe -
AGERONIINA
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Hamadryas feronia in typical
posture on tree trunk, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
There are 20 members of the genus
Hamadryas,
commonly known as Crackers due to the ability of the males of several species to
produce a clearly audible sound which is similar to the crackling of bacon in a
frying pan.
The sound is produced as the butterflies take off, and is made by twanging a
pair of spiny rods at the tip of the abdomen
against bristles on the valvae ( the male's anal
claspers ). Only males can produce the sound, but both sexes can detect it
- their wings have tiny hollow cells covered in membranes which vibrate in
response to sound and stimulate nerve endings. The purpose of the sound is not
fully understood : it may
deter competing males from occupying the same territory, and may also act as a
trigger to initiate the first response from a female during courtship.
Hamadryas
butterflies use their ears to detect crackling noises made by territorial males.
The sound is made by twanging 2 tiny prongs on the tip of the abdomen against
bristles on the valvae. The males habitually bask on tree trunks, where they
wait to intercept passing females.
All Hamadryas
species have a beautiful calico pattern on the upperside. In many there is a series of
submarginal ocelli on the hindwings, and distinct kidney-shaped stigmata in the
discal cells of fore and hind wings.
In several species such
as februa
and
glauconome
the ground colour is greyish and the pattern acts as an extremely effective
camouflage against the bark of trees. In other species such as
amphinome,
laodamia and
velutina
the wings are velvety black with a blue sheen and a pattern of bright blue spots.
Most
Hamadryas
species are found only in Central and South America, although 8 have been
recorded sporadically in the southern USA.
Hamadryas
feronia
is distributed from the southern United States to Paraguay.
Hamadryas feronia, Yarinacocha,
Pucallpa, Ucayali, Peru
Habitats
This species is found in rainforest and deciduous forest habitats at altitudes
between sea level and about 1200 metres.
Lifecycle
The caterpillar when
fully grown is bluish-black, with whitish dots and a reddish lateral line, and
has multi-branched spines that are black except for those on the middle section
which are yellow. There is also apparently another form which is greyish-green
colour marked with a pale greenish broken lateral line. They larvae feed
gregariously on the vines Dalechampia triphylla or
D. stenosepala depending on location. The chrysalis strongly resembles a
small withered leaf. It varies in colour from green to dark brown, and has a
pair of long flattened wavy head horns.
Hamadryas feronia, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Adult behaviour
Like all
Hamadryas species
feronia habitually basks on tree
trunks in a head-downward position and with the wings flattened
against the bark. They will bask in this position for long periods
to await potential mates. They commonly settle at a height of
about 2 metres but if disturbed by humans they fly up and resettle
higher up, either on the same tree or on another nearby. They
remain high in the trees until the intruder leaves, and then
descend the tree trunk in a series of short flights, dropping a
short distance each time until after several minutes they resume
their original position.
The
butterflies are active from sunrise to sunset, and are rarely seen
away from tree trunks, but also sometimes bask on rock faces or
tree foliage.
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