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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Lucius Metalmark
Metacharis lucius
FABRICIUS, 1793
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Metacharis lucius, female, Rio Madre de
Dios, Peru
Introduction
There
are 8 species in the genus Metacharis, all of which
are confined to the neotropical region.
All Metacharis species are sexually dimorphic, i.e.
the males and females differ in colour and pattern.
In the case of lucius the female is orange-brown,
marked with a pattern of blackish squiggles, and has a series of metallic silver
dashes and black dots around the wing margins. The males are much darker and
similarly marked, but the pattern is overlaid and almost obscured by a deep blue
sheen.
Metacharis
lucius occurs east of the Andes from Guyana to southern Peru.
Habitats
This species is restricted to primary rainforest at altitudes between sea level
and about 800m.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies are usually encountered singly in light gaps. They
bask for long periods on foliage at heights between about 1-4
metres. If disturbed they usually only fly a short distance, but
often settle above head height so are difficult to observe.
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