Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Glasswing Metalmark
Ithomeis aurantiaca BATES,
1862
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Ithomeis aurantiaca heliconina, Rio
Onolulo, Tingo Maria, Peru
Introduction
There
are 2 species in the genus Ithomeis, namely
eulema from Central America, and aurantiaca
from South America.
There are many species which share the Ithomeis pattern of black, orange and large
translucent areas. These include many toxic genera from the Ithomiinae (
Ithomia, Oleria etc ),
and a number of toxic moths from the family Arctiidae. Additionally there are
several other Riodinid genera that contain species with a similar colour theme - e.g.
Stalachtis, Ithomiola
and Brachyglenis.
Ithomeis
aurantiaca produces several subspecies, many of which were formerly
regarded as full species, but have since been relegated. These include
satellites and astrea,
both of which are very similar to the illustrated
heliconina. Other subspecies include mimica
and stalachtina, both of which have greatly reduced
hyaline areas, and extensive orange markings - these subspecies bear a strong
resemblance to toxic Ithomiines in the genera Pseudoscada,
Hyposcada and Hypoleria.
A single widely distributed species such as Ithomeis
aurantiaca can produce several subspecies, each markedly different in
appearance, and each mimicking a particular toxic Ithomiine species that occurs
within the same area.
On his adventures in Amazonia
the legendary explorer and naturalist Henry Walter Bates became fascinated by this genus, and
by the amazing similarities between various other butterfly species. He realised
that butterflies which are
unpalateable to insectivorous birds are very often mimicked by similarly
patterned palatable species. In
1862 he published the famous paper describing his theory, which is now commonly
known as Batesian mimicry.
Ithomeis aurantiaca is distributed from Panama to
Bolivia. The subspecies heliconina is confined to
eastern Peru and the southern Amazonian ( Mato Grosso ) region of Brazil.
Habitats
This butterfly is found in cloudforest habitats at altitudes
between about 800-1500m. It is a highly localised species and rarely seen.
Lifecycle
The eggs are pink, and
laid in clusters of between 40-50 on the upperside of leaves. The larval
foodplant is Heisteria ( Olacaceae ).
Adult behaviour
The adults
are elusive, and usually encountered singly, in the vicinity of
rivers or streams. At Rio Onolulo in Tingo Maria national park,
Peru, I photographed the male shown on this page, and noted that
it spent a considerable amount of time imbibing moisture from
mossy rock faces and boulders. While feeding, the wings were
slowly fanned; and when the insect took flight it fluttered its
wings slowly, in a manner similar to that of Ithomiines. It seemed
unperturbed by repeated disturbance by 4 keen photographers, and
if molested always returned within a few seconds to resume
feeding.
Ithomeis aurantiaca heliconina, Rio
Onolulo, Tingo Maria, Peru
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