Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Peruvian Cattleheart Mimic
Mimoides xynias
HEWITSON, 1875
Family -
PAPILIONIDAE
subfamily -
PAPILIONINAE
Tribe - LEPTOCIRCINI
Mimoides
xynias, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The colour and pattern of this species is very similar to that of the
Cattlehearts (
Parides ), a
group of Papilionids with toxic qualities derived from their larval foodplants Aristolochia.
Butterflies in the genus
Mimoides however
feed as larvae on Annonaceae, and are not thought to be unpalatable to predators.
It is likely therefore that xeniades is a Batesian
mimic of Parides. The
larvae, as well as the adults of
Mimoides
are very similar in appearance to
Parides.
There are 11 species in the genus
Mimoides,
which is very closely allied to
Eurytides.
Mimoides xynias
is found in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in lowland and premontane rainforest habitats at
elevations between about 200-800m.
Lifecycle
The
eggs are laid singly on the foliage of sapling or mature trees in the
family Annonaceae.
I can find no data specific to
xynias,
but the larvae of related species e.g.
branchus, when fully
grown are typically plump, black, and with 8 fleshy unbranched tubercles on each
segment. The tubercles are often reddish. Some species have a cream V-shaped
band or similar marking half way along the back.
The
pupae of Mimoides
species are barrel-shaped and have a prominent horn projecting forward from the
thorax. They are attached vertically by the cremaster and a thick silk girdle to
a stem or twig on the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
Unlike the Cattlehearts, male Mimoides commonly visit damp
patches on sandbanks, forest glades or peccary wallows, to
filter-feed by imbibing mineral-rich moisture, and can be seen
either singly or in mixed groups with other Papilionids.
While feeding
they usually flutter their wings rapidly in typical Papilionid
fashion, but sometimes settle for
several minutes with wings erect and stationary.
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