Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Dashwing
Historis acheronta
FABRICIUS, 1775
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - COEINI
Historis
acheronta, male, Rio Pindayo, Peru
Introduction
This
is one of 12
species in the tribe Coeini, which also includes
Baeotus,
Colobura,
Tigridia,
Pycina
and
Smyrna.
There are only 2 species in the genus
Historis,
the other being odius
- a larger, more robust species which is generally much commoner than
acheronta.
Historis
acheronta is a very widely distributed species, found from Guatemala to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species, like it's relative odius occurs in a wide variety of forested habitats, from the deciduous
woodlands of Guatemala, to the wet rainforests of the Amazon
basin and premontane cloudforests of the Andes. It occurs at altitudes
between sea level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
The
lifecycle is unknown but is probably very similar to that of
Historis odius as follows :
The
egg is pale brown and laid singly on the midrib of a leaf of
Cecropia
( Moraceae ). When small the larva constructs a chain of droppings along the
midrib. The larva rests at the end of this frass-chain, which extends beyond the
tip of a leaf. The chain seems to act as a tight-rope over which ants will not
walk. It thus prevents the larva from being molested. It probably also deters
parasitoid wasps and flies, making it difficult for them to oviposit on the
larva.
The
fully grown larva is brown with yellow bands around the segments,
which are adorned with yellowish whorled spines. Another pair of short whorled
spines emerges from the head. The
chrysalis is adorned with whorled spines in the abdominal segments. It bears a pair of horns on the head which are recurved and appressed to the
thorax.
Adult behaviour
This species is usually encountered singly, in forest clearings.
Both sexes visit fermenting fruit, preferring fruits that have not
yet fallen from the trees. Males are also attracted to
sources of minerals, particularly urine tainted ground.
When settled the wings are held erect.
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