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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Azeca Banner
Vila azeca
DOUBLEDAY, 1848
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe -
EURYTELINA
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Vila
azeca,
Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Vila
contains 3 known species,
azeca,
emilia
and
eueidiformis, all
of which are confined to the neotropics. They are
characterised by having blackish uppersides marked with white bands, and
undersides patterned in orange and white.
Vila azeca is
found
throughout much of the Amazonian region from Colombia to Bolivia. The subspecies
found in Peru, and illustrated here, is known as
V. a. azeca.
Other races include cacica
in which the bands are broken into spots; and the beautiful stalactoides,
which has an underside reminiscent of certain members of the Riodinid genus Stalachtis.
Habitats
This
species appears to be confined to lowland rainforests at altitudes below about
800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are invariably
seen singly, usually as males basking on low foliage in dappled
sunlight. Males tend to sit motionless for long periods on shaded
leaves, waiting for passing females. They also occasionally
descend to imbibe mineralised moisture from rocks or riverbeds.
Vila azeca,
Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
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