Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Red Demon
Mesene epaphus
pyrrha
BATES,
1868
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - SYMMACHIINI
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Mesene epaphus pyrrha,
Rio Cristalino, Mato Grosso, Brazil
© Tony Hoare |
Introduction
There are
26 species in the genus Mesene. The majority are
bright red, with black borders or apical patches, which in some species are
marked with white spots. In a few species such as leucopus
and silaris the red colour is replaced by
bright yellow.
The
various Mesene butterflies are considered to be
Batesian mimics of noxious moths in the genus Holomelina
( Arctiidae ). Several other moths e.g. Eubaphe and
Eudolophasia ( both Geometridae ) also mimic
Holomelina. The illustrated subspecies Mesene epaphus
pyrrha was in fact discovered by Henry Walter Bates, the legendary 19th
century explorer and naturalist who originated the theory of butterfly mimicry
which now bears his name - Batesian mimicry.
This species is distributed from
Venezuela to southern Brazil.
Habitats
Mesene epaphus is found in primary rainforest at
altitudes between sea level and about 800m.
Lifecycle
The larvae are pale green
with short white setae, and a prominent dorsal crest of very long white setae.
The feed on Inga ( Fabaceae ) and possibly also on
Sapindaceae.
Adult behaviour
The adults
are very elusive and usually encountered singly at light gaps or
areas where dappled sunlight filters through the trees. They have
a very rapid and erratic flight, and nearly always settle on the
underside of leaves. The butterflies are very difficult to
approach, instantly darting off, whizzing around for 4 or 5
seconds in and out amongst the trees, and then suddenly
disappearing beneath the leaf of a bush. Patience is sometimes
rewarded however, as they tend to stay in the same area all
morning, and on rare occasions settle on the upperside of a leaf.
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