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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Common Nymphidium
Nymphidium caricae
LINNAEUS,
1758
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
subtribe -
NYMPHIDIINA
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Nymphidium caricae, Rio Madre de
Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
triangular white area on the forewings, broad white bands on the hindwings, and
orange markings depicted in this butterfly are found in 3 genera of Riodinidae -
Synargis, Juditha and
Nymphidium. The latter are more delicate in
appearance than the others, and have narrower forewings. Other features which
help distinguish Nymphidium include the ovoid
bluish-white submarginal markings, the orange patches in the discal cell of the
forewings, and the posture - wings outspread and antennae pointing forward and
almost parallel.
There are 33 species of
Nymphidium distributed variously from Belize to
Bolivia, with the greatest number of species being found in the upper Amazon
basin of Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Most are generally similar to
caricae, varying mainly in the extent of the
various orange markings. In several species the orange is vestigial or absent,
and in at least one species mantus the orange is
replaced by a beautiful sapphire blue.
Nymphidium
caricae is one of the commonest and most widespread species of
Riodinidae, distributed from Colombia to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in primary and secondary rain forest at altitudes between
about 100-1200 metres, and is typically found in glades, forest edges, along
roadsides and riverbanks, or at large light gaps.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually encountered in flight along sunny
trails. They have a characteristic gentle fluttering flight at a
height of about 2-3 metres, but spend long periods at rest beneath
leaves, with wings outspread, and antennae pointing forward. Males
occasionally settle on the ground to imbibe mineralised moisture
but this behaviour is not habitual.
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