Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cat's-eye Sapphire
Lasaia arsis
STAUDINGER, 1887
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Lasaia
arsis,
male, Rio Shima, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The genus
Lasaia contains 14 species,
all of which are found exclusively in the neotropics. They are small butterflies, averaging
about 30mm in wingspan. Males have extremely reflective
wing scales, with a ground colour of blue, green or grey according to species.
Females are rarely seen. They are generally a dull
brown colour. In both sexes the ground colour is overlaid with a linear pattern
of black markings.
Lasaia
arsis is the smallest member of the genus, and easily recognised by the
prominent whitish "cat's eye" marking on the
leading edge of the hindwings. The ground colour is greyish, but reflects an
iridescent steel-blue or slightly turquoise sheen when sunlight reflects at certain angles from the wings.
This
species is found in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
Lasaia
arsis
is found in rainforest and cloudforest habitats at altitudes between about
200-1500m.
Lasaia
arsis,
male, Rio Shima, Satipo, Peru
Lifecycle
The eggs are flattened, and resemble a pair of stacked pies. I have no other
information regarding the lifecycle. The foodplant of the related
Lasaia sula is Albizia
( Fabaceae ) so it is likely that other Lasaia
species feed on related plants.
Adult behaviour
This species is scarcer than it's sapphire blue cousin
Lasaia agesilas, and is generally
encountered as male singletons imbibing mineral-rich moisture from
sandbanks. Males
are highly active in sunny weather, with a very rapid flight close
to the ground.
Females
are rarely seen.
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