Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Marbled Leafwing
Hypna clytemnestra
CRAMER, 1777
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
CHARAXINAE
Tribe - ANAEINI
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Hypna clytemnestra, Tingo Maria, Peru |
Introduction
The genus
Hypna
contains just one species, clytemnestra.
The upperside is black, with broad
creamy white bands across the forewings. Like most members of the
Charaxinae, it has a cryptic underside pattern, resembling a dead
withered leaf.
Hypna clytemnestra
occurs from Mexico to Argentina.
Habitats
This species is found in the Amazonian lowlands and Andean
foothills, at altitudes between about 100-800m.
Lifecycle
The eggs are globular, and laid singly on the foliage of
Croton
( Euphorbiaceae ).
The fully grown
caterpillar is pale brown, with a prominent thoracic hump, and has reddish
tubercules along the back, from which long black setae arise.
Adult behaviour
The butterfly is
uncommon, and always
encountered singly. It appears to spend most of it's life high in
the trees, and can usually only be observed from a distance
through binoculars. Occasionally a butterfly will
descend however, attracted by rotting fruit or sap runs, and at such times
it often first settles on nearby foliage.
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