Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Blue-rayed Metalmark
Lyropteryx apollonia
WESTWOOD, 1851
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Lyropteryx
apollonia, male,
Rio Shima, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Lyropteryx
comprises of 4 known species. They are among the largest of the Riodinids, with a wingspan of
circa 50mm.
The males
of all the species are black on the upperside, marked on the outer half of the
wings with radiating turquoise lines.
They bear a strong resemblance to Arctiid moths in the genus
Hypocrita. Both Lyropteryx
and Hypocrita are rejected by birds so are probably
noxious Mullerian mimics.
In females of Lyropteryx the outer rays on the
wings are white, and the hindwings have a broad red marginal band similar to
that of Biblis hyperia. The
underside of all species is black with radiating white lines and numerous large
red spots in the basal area.
Butterflies in the
closely allied genus
Necyria
are generally similar but the upperside markings tend to form into wide bands.
Also the red spots on the underside are larger and fewer in number, and the wings
more angular.
Lyropteryx apollonia is widely distributed throughout the tropical
regions of South America including Colombia, western and southern Brazil, Peru,
and Bolivia.
Lyropteryx
apollonia, male
filter-feeding, Rio Shima, Peru
Habitats
This species is found in rainforest and cloudforest habitats at altitudes between about 200-1000m.
The butterflies are usually found solitarily in the vicinity of streams or
rivers. They can be found throughout the year but are encountered more commonly
in the dry season.
Lifecycle
The
larvae feed on Vochysia ( Vochysiaceae ).
Lyropteryx
apollonia, Rio Shima, Peru
Adult behaviour
Males are occasionally seen
visiting
sewage seepages or urine-soaked ground. They drink using the
"filter-feeding" method, whereby they imbibe almost continually,
extracting salts from mineral-rich patches of ground, or from the
edges of puddles. Periodically they squirt the demineralised water
from their anus, curving their abdomen so as to aim the liquid at
the ground beneath their feet. There it leaches more minerals from
the ground, which are re-imbibed. This process is continuous and
the butterflies often recycle the same fluid many times during a
period of several minutes.
They remain settled for long periods, often hiding in gaps between
rocks, are not easily disturbed. The wings are normally held in
the V-position, or slowly fanned, but a butterfly which has been
on the ground for a long period will sometimes bask with wings
fully outspread.
Females do not
visit mineral sources. It is likely that they visit
Eupatorium flowers for
nectar, as I have observed this behaviour often with females of
the closely related genus Necyria.
Lyropteryx
apollonia, Rio Shima, Peru
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