Moths of the Amazon
and Andes
Green-banded Urania
Urania leilus
LINNAEUS, 1758
Superfamily -
URANIOIDEA
Family - URANIIDAE
subfamily -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Urania leilus,
Panacea prola and
Rhetus periander
Introduction
Moths in the family Uraniidae are found in many tropical areas of the world.
Amongst the most beautiful of the 18
Urania
species is the Sunset moth
Urania ripheus,
a common species in Madagascar and parts of south-east Africa.
There are 2 species
commonly seen in the Amazonian region - leilus
and fulgens.
The latter species is scarcer, and differs in that it lacks the outermost green
bands on the forewings, and has reduced green markings on the hindwings.
Urania leilus is
found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru.
Urania leilus, Rio Alto Madre de
Dios, Peru
Habitats
Urania leilus
is commonly seen along riverbanks in primary and secondary rainforest at
elevations between sea level and about 800m.
Urania leilus, Satipo, Peru
Lifecycle
The larvae are reputed to feed on
Omphalea, but little else is recorded.
Urania leilus,
Melanis smithiae and Siseme
neurodes at Satipo, Peru
Adult behaviour
This species is strongly migratory in behaviour, and tends to
follow river courses during migrations. They can often be seen
crossing wide rivers, flying just above the surface of the water,
and I have on several occasions seen them dip down and make
contact with the water - presumably a case of mid-flight
"refuelling".
Males commonly aggregate with
Nymphalids, Riodinids, Pierids and Papilionids on sunlit
sandbanks and river beaches. Sometimes groups of up to 50 Urania
moths will gather at urine-tainted ground, or at the edges of drying pools. They typically bask
with their wings outspread and overlapping those of their
neighbours.
Urania leilus, Satipo, Peru
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