Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Hebrus Metalmark
Menander hebrus
CRAMER, 1775
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - NYMPHIDIINI
subtribe - NYMPHIDIINA
Menander hebrus,
Rio Shima, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
There
are 10 members of the genus
Menander,
distributed variously from Nicaragua to Guyana and south across Amazonia to Peru
and Bolivia.
Menander hebrus is
found from
Surinam to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in rainforest habitats at altitudes between 0-900m.
Lifecycle
The pale green eggs are globular and covered with a network
of raised pentagons. They are laid singly on the stems or shoots of
Marcgravia, Sourubea
and Norantea ( Marcgraviaceae ) either in the
canopy or on young saplings. The larvae have a tough trilobite-like carapace
which presumably affords them some protection from the aggressive
Camponotus and Crematogaster
ants that are invariably in attendance.
Adult behaviour
The adults have a rapid erratic flight. They are usually encountered
as solitary males, perching on foliage with wings outspread, in areas of dappled
sunlight along forest trails. They sometimes use the same perching
place for several days at a time. Females tend to be active mainly
during the early part of the afternoon. Both sexes nectar at
Miconia, Citrus,
Lantana and
Cordia. The adults live for about a month and are found
throughout the year.
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