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Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Harmonia Tiger
Tithorea harmonia CRAMER, 1777
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - ITHOMIINAE
Tribe - TITHOREINI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Tithorea harmonia hermias, Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The subfamily Ithomiinae contains 372 known species, all of which are confined to the neotropics. They can be divided rather unscientifically into 2 groups - the Tigers and the Glasswings, although both types are represented in some genera.
 
The Tigers are regarded as part of a huge "tiger complex" in which many toxic species from the Ithomiinae and Danainae share a basically similar pattern of black wings, strongly marked with bands or stripes of bright orange. The Müllerian mimicry theory, in simple terms, states that by sharing a common pattern, toxic species are less likely to be attacked by predators, who having experienced one distasteful insect will avoid eating others with similar colours and markings.
 
The matter is made more complicated because many other non-toxic species, including members of the Pieridae, Papilionidae, Heliconiinae and Riodinidae have similar patterns. The theory of Batesian mimicry states that these have evolved to look similar to the toxic species so that predators will avoid them also.
 
Although widely accepted, such theories are flawed. A species which is avoided by one species of bird will be readily eaten by another species that has greater tolerance of the toxins. The degree of toxicity varies from one butterfly species to another, and from one individual to another, so a predator could feasibly eat many such insects without ill effect. Furthermore it must be borne in mind that all butterflies and moths, of whatever family, according to evolutionary theory must share a common ancestor, and therefore a common pattern-creating mechanism, so the fact that so many look similar is possibly more a matter of coincidence than "mimicry".
 
The easiest way to distinguish this species from it's "mimics" is to examine the antennae and legs. The antennae of Tithorea are very gradually tapered, cream in colour, and drooping. In Pieridae the antennae are parallel along the stalk, with a strongly clubbed tip, while in Papilionidae the tip is clubbed and recurved. Ithomiines, Heliconiines and Nymphalines have only 2 pairs of functioning legs. In the Ithomiines these are long, giving the impression of a butterfly on stilts. Papilionidae and Pieridae have 3 pairs of functioning legs.
 
Tithorea harmonia is one of the commonest and most widespread of the toxic "tiger" species, occurring from Mexico to the southern Amazon. There are currently 26 named subspecies of harmonia, and 2 other species in the genus Tithorea - tarricina and another recently discovered species which is still awaiting formal description.
 
Habitats
 
This species is found in sub-tropical deciduous forest as well as in evergreen rainforest habitats. It occurs from sea level to an altitude of about 1300m.
 
Lifecycle
 
Despite this being a very common and widespread species, the lifecycle appears to be unknown, except that the larval foodplant is quoted as Apocynaceae.
 
It may be relevant to describe the larva of the related species T. tarricina - this is pale green with dark bands around the segments, and has two long filaments arising from the first thoracic segment. The pupa of tarricina is silvery and resembles a large water droplet.
 
Tithorea harmonia hermias, Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Adult behaviour

 

Tithorea harmonia is usually found in two's and three's, but at some sites in Peru I have found as many as 20 flying together.

 

In sunny weather the butterflies tend to be secretive, flying in light gaps deep within the forest. In cloudy conditions, and at the approach of dusk, they emerge into more open areas along the edges of streams, or wide forest tracks. There they can be seen fluttering amongst herbage, or settled on low foliage, slowly fanning their wings.

 

At the end of the dry season they tend to gather at the last remaining sources of moisture within the forest - dry river beds, muddy pools etc, but tend to avoid open riverbanks and forest roads.

 
Tithorea harmonia hermias at bird dropping, Madre de Dios, Peru
 

Males are strongly attracted to bird droppings, from which they sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals seem to serve multiple purposes - they may be essential in the production of pheromones, they may increase the toxicity of the butterfly, and they are probably transferred to the female during copulation, implying that males with high concentrations are essential for the production of fertile and viable eggs by the female. The males will often visit the same bird dropping for 3 or 4 days in succession.

 

Females are more often seen visiting flowers, including Psychotria, Hamelia and Chomelia species. They share the Heliconiine habits of spending quite long periods nectaring at any particular bloom, and habitually return to the same flower over a period of days. Normally when feeding they keep their wings closed, but sometimes fan them slowly.

 

In dry weather the butterflies roost openly on foliage in the understorey, but during rainy spells they hide amongst the rootlets of palms.

 

 

Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.

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