Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Blue-rayed Metalmark
Lyropteryx apollonia WESTWOOD, 1851
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily - RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Lyropteryx apollonia, male, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The genus Lyropteryx comprises of 4 known species, larger than most Riodinids, with a wingspan of circa 50mm.
 
Males of all the species have black uppersides, marked on the outer half of the wings with radiating turquoise or blue lines. Females have white rays on the forewings, and a broad red marginal band on the hindwings.
 
The undersides of all species are black with radiating white lines and numerous large red spots in the basal area. Long antennae and stout bodies are other characteristic features.
 
Butterflies in the closely allied genus Necyria are generally similar, but the upperside markings tend to form into wide bands, the red spots on the underside are larger and fewer in number, and the wings more angular.
 
Lyropteryx apollonia is a rarely seen species, but is widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of South America including Colombia, western and southern Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia.
 
Habitats
 
This species appears to be confined to wet lowland rainforests at altitudes from about 200 - 600m.
 
Lifecycle
 
To be completed.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Males are occasionally seen visiting damp sand or earth, often close to habitations, being particularly attracted to areas where clothing is washed, and to sewage seepages or urine-soaked ground. They nearly always occur singly.

 

They remain settled for long periods, and 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 outspread.

 

Females do not visit mineral sources. It is likely that they visit flowers for nectar, as I have observed this behaviour often with females of the closely related genus Necyria.

 

 

 

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