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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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