|
Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Tomato
Temenis laothoe CRAMER, 1777
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - EPIPHILINI
subtribe -
EPIPHILINA
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Temenis laothoe form
violetta, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
genus Temenis is closely allied to
Epiphile and Nica, in
which the adults are structurally very similar. The 3 genera are
biologically distinguished by differences in larval morphology.
There are 3 Temenis species.
T.pulchra has more rounded wings than laothoe,
and has a broad pinkish red diagonal band running from midway along the costa to
the tornus. The inner two-thirds of the wings are also bright pinkish red, and
are flushed with a purple sheen. T.huebneri has a
similar wing shape to laothoe, but has a broad
orange band across the forewings, and orange hindwings.
Temenis laothoe occurs in 2 colour forms. The most
common and widespread form is bright orange in colour, except for the apex of
the forewing, which is dark brown. This form is distributed from Mexico to
Bolivia.
A small percentage of each brood are of the extraordinarily beautiful
violetta form, as illustrated above. This form of
the species ( if indeed it is the same species ) only appears to be known from
Colombia to southern Peru. Both forms often occur side by side at the same sites
and at the same time of year.
Temenis laothoe normal form, Satipo, Peru
Habitats
This species is found mainly in primary rainforest and transitional rainforest /
cloudforest habitats at altitudes between sea level and about 1600m. It also
occurs in much lower numbers in humid deciduous habitats such as Guanacaste in
Costa Rica.
Temenis laothoe form
violetta, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants are
Serjania, Paullinia,
Cardiospermum, Urvillea
and other shrubs and vines in the family Sapindaceae.
Temenis laothoe normal form, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies often settle to bask on foliage, typically at height
between 2-3 metres above ground level. They also commonly bask on
logs, fallen branches, wooden fence posts and tree stumps. When
basking the wings are always held in a three-quarters open
position.
Males often hop about from spot to spot on the ground on river
beaches, peccary wallows, semi-dry stream beds and wet roadsides.
They are nervous in disposition and often fan their wings slowly
when they stop momentarily to imbibe moisture. If undisturbed they
settle down after a few minutes to rest with their wings held
erect.
Temenis laothoe, Satipo, Peru
|
