Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
A puzzle solved...
Xenandra poliotactis STICHEL, 1910
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily - RIODININAE
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Xenandra poliotactis, Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
This stunning butterfly is not illustrated in any published reference work, and became the subject of some contention amongst taxonomists while attempts were made to get it identified. It was seen and photographed by learnaboutbutterflies webmaster Adrian Hoskins on a misty August morning at about 0800 hrs, on the shore of the "Alto" Rio Madre de Dios, part of Manu Biosphere Reserve, in Peru.
 
The butterfly caused a great deal of interest amongst the many eminent entomologists consulted, and I'm extremely grateful to Andrew Neild, Keith Willmott, Blanca Huertas, Tony Hoare, Gerardo Lamas, Bernard d'Abrera, Curtis Callaghan and Jason Hall for finding the time to examine the photographs reproduced below.
 
While some of us were speculating that this could be an Esthemopsis, a Lepricornis or even a "new" genus, Gerardo Lamas was the first to suggest that the butterfly might be a species of Xenandra. Riodinidae experts Jason Hall and Curtis Callaghan have now both confirmed the butterfly as Xenandra poliotactis.
 
Curtis Callaghan comments "It is not common, but frequents the area you mention, Madre de Dios north to Iquitos (type locality).", while Jason Hall states "I have seen only a handful of specimens, but the dorsal surface varies slightly from a dull black with little in worn specimens to a brighter blue in fresh ones. A remarkable picture."
 
 
The butterfly appears to be a female, with the abdomen distended by the eggs within.

It can be seen from the image above that the thorax and head are devoid of scales except for the yellow-orange ”ruff”, and the palpi. The lack of scales on the head and thorax appears to be a diagnostic feature – they do not appear to have been rubbed off, as the butterfly is in very fresh condition and has lost virtually no wing scales.

 
Habitats
 
The butterfly was found on the shoreline behind which was lowland mixed tropical rainforest, including areas of bamboo and secondary growth. Altitude believed to be circa 550m, although another estimate placed it at 700m.
 
Lifecycle
 
Unknown.
 
Adult behaviour

 

The butterfly was very sedentary in behaviour, and spent several minutes basking in the position as illustrated above, making no attempt to fly when approached closely. The wings were held fully outspread throughout this period. It is possible that the species only flies on cool overcast mornings. It was not seen again during the following 2 days, although weather conditions were generally cool, overcast and slightly misty throughout.

 

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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