Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Erota Metalmark
Notheme erota
CRAMER, 1780
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Notheme erota, Rio
Shima, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The genus Notheme comprises of a single species
erota. It is unlikely to be confused with any other
species except possibly Parcella amarynthina, but
the latter has suffused and very much narrower bands which are orange rather
than cream.
Notheme erota
occurs from Colombia to Bolivia. The illustration depicts the subspecies
diadema from Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This is a lowland rainforest species, found on both sides of the Andes at
altitudes between about 100-1000 metres.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
This
attractive little species is nearly always seen singly. It is
usually encountered in damp situations where dappled sunlight
filters through the trees onto the forest floor. The butterfly
always basks and feeds with wings held half open, and with the
forewings tilted forward. It tends to sit motionless for long
periods in rocky crevices where it probes for moisture.
Notheme erota, Rio Madre de
Dios, Peru
|
