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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.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 Amazonia  PAGE 1
A gallery of photographs taken by Adrian Hoskins
Photographs taken in the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador, Brazil and Peru.
 
Click here for MOTHS of the Amazon and Andes
 
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Click on thumbnails to see more photos, and detailed descriptions of the distribution, habitats, lifecycle and behaviour of each illustrated species......
 
Blue Xenandra
Xenandra poliotactis
 
This stunning Riodinid was photographed on the shore of the Rio Madre de Dios in southern Peru. Taxonomists were initially in disagreement as to whether this is a species of Xenandra, or a Lepricornis, Esthemopsis, or possibly an entirely new genus. Close examination shows that the antennae are very short, and that the head and thorax are entirely devoid of the hair-like scales found on other butterfly species. Curtis Callaghan and Jason Hall have now confirmed the ID as Xenandra poliotactis.
 
Erotia Sister
Adelpha erotia
 
Adelpha species can sometimes be difficult to identify, as many have a similar pattern of orange and white bands on a dark brown ground colour. Identification requires very careful examination of the pattern of the orange spots in the apical area of the forewing, and in most cases it is essential to also examine the patterning on the undersides, by which means otherwise very similar species can be distinguished. The range of Adelpha erotia extends from Costa Rica to Peru and Bolivia.
 
Dido Longwing
Philaethria dido
 
Philaethria dido is found from Mexico to the southern Amazon. It is amongst the most beautiful and graceful of neotropical butterflies, but is rarely seen, as it spends the majority of it's life high in the forest canopy. It breeds in wet tropical rainforests at altitudes from sea level to about 1200m. Novices sometimes confuse this species with the Malachite Siproeta stelenes, a much commoner butterfly found in open secondary forest, or around the edges of clearings in primary forest.
 
89 butterfly
Diaethria clymena
 
The "89" numerals which appear on the underside wings of this species are present in all members of the genus Diaethria, but vary in colour, thickness and shape according to species. The butterflies often frequent human dwellings, and are considered a sign of good luck by many communities. They are usually seen in two's or three's, but sometimes congregate in large numbers at favoured spots, often on sandbanks close to jetties.
 
BD butterfly
Callicore cynosura
 
The common name of this species is derived from the bold markings on the underside hindwings, which resemble the letters "BD". The upperside is black, banded with brilliant red. The butterflies are usually encountered as solitary individuals. They have a rapid and powerful flight over short distances, and often settle on boats, jetties, or the walls of wooden buildings. Males visit sandbanks to imbibe dissolved minerals from damp ground, and habitually settle on humans to imbibe sweat.
 
Red Flasher
Panacea prola
 
This beautiful species is distributed throughout much of the lowland rainforest of South America. Males congregate in groups of up to twenty, basking with wings outstretched, as they imbibe mineral-rich moisture on sandbanks. When one individual detects a threat from an approaching bird or human, it responds by fanning it's wings to display the bright red underside. This acts as a signal to warn it's brethren, who also start fanning their wings, so that the whole group quickly becomes alerted to the danger.
 
Bates Olivewing
Nessaea batesii
 

Olivewings are usually found as singletons, but it is normal to see several during an hour long walk along a narrow forest track in suitable habitat. If disturbed they fly rapidly and with great agility, and resettle a short distance away, but invariably return to the original spot within a few minutes. They settle on foliage, at heights between ground level and 3 metres. In sunny conditions they bask for long periods on low foliage.
 
Giant Glasswing
Methona confusa
 
Methona species breed in lowland wet rainforest at altitudes below about 700m. The butterflies are solitary in behaviour. Males are usually seen at light gaps where fallen trees have opened the canopy, allowing a shaft of sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. In such areas they perch on foliage, typically at heights between 2 - 3 metres, to await passing females. I have never observed the pre-nuptial ritual, if one exists, but have found copulated pairs settled on low foliage.
 
Glittering Sapphire
Lasaia agesilas
 
The 14 members of the genus Lasaia are found exclusively in the neotropics. They are all small species, averaging about 30mm in wingspan, with highly reflective metallic wing scales, the males being blue, green or grey, overlaid with a pattern of black spots. They are commonly seen in one's and two's when mud-puddling at sandbanks or sunlit forest tracks. They are highly active in sunny weather, with a very rapid flight close to the ground, and tend to flit constantly from spot to spot.
 
Red-barred Amarynthis
Amarynthis meneria
 
This is a common species found in lowland rainforests east of the Andes. It spends much of it's time resting under leaves with wings held flat, but will periodically dart out, and in overcast or cool conditions will often bask on the upper surface of leaves. It tends to stay within the forest, and is often seen, either singly or in two's or three's, along narrow paths where dappled sunlight penetrates to ground level.
 
Molochina Underleaf
Eurybia molochina
 

Underleafs are secretive insects, hiding for long periods under leaves, always with wings spread open, cheekily peering out to keep a watchful eye on intruders. Periodically they fly out to investigate other butterflies, but instantly return to settle under another nearby leaf. The speed of flight is remarkable, and the degree of agility apparent when they fly into the vegetation, flip upside-down and settle under a leaf is amazing to behold.
 
Leopard-spotted Beauty
Baeotus deucalion
 
The uppersides of both sexes of this species are dark brown, with broad median bands of pale orange, and white spots in the apical area of the forewings. The adults are usually seen singly, often in the company of Baeotus aeilus, B. beotus or B. japetus, and are regular visitors to patches of mineral-rich damp sand along the shores of rivers in Amazonia. B. beotus has a very similar pattern of largish black spots on the underside, but in that species the upperside of the male is banded in pale shining blue.
 
 
Great Orange tip
Anteos menippe
 
This is a common species in lowland areas, found in Colombia, and across much of Amazonia, in Ecuador, Brazil and Peru. The butterflies breed mainly in open transitional habitats along riverbanks, and are most commonly seen when migrating along river courses. The cryptic leaf-like underside, complete with raised "leaf veins" enables the butterfly to blend perfectly amongst the foliage of plants. It is highly likely that they roost hanging from the foliage of trees, where their cryptic colouration would help them the avoid being detected by avian predators.
 
Lavinia Emperor
Doxocopa lavinia
 
Males of this very conspicuous species are marked on the upperside with a median band of white scales, each of which has a ridged surface which reflects and refracts light in brilliant iridescent hues of blue, green and violet. The brilliance of the colours, when the butterfly is seen in full sunlight, almost defies description. The females lack the iridescence, with the median band being white and orange, and are similar in appearance to Adelpha species, but  have much more angular wings.
 
Starry Night Riodinid
Echydna punctata
 
The Starry Night Riodinid is usually seen in two's and three's along dark forest paths, where it habitually settles with wings open, on ferns and other low vegetation. It is also commonly seen on damp soil, imbibing dissolved minerals. It's almost inevitable that when one Echydna is seen, others will be found nearby. It is more commonly seen on cloudy days. On sunny days it tends to fly early in the mornings when light levels are low, but sometimes mud-puddles at open sandbanks.
 

Amazon destroyed in quest for bio-fuel  !

The habitat of these beautiful butterflies is under severe threat of destruction. In excess of 10,000 square miles ( 2.6 million hectares ) of the Amazon rainforest is clear-felled every year.  Vast areas are deliberately burned to make way for cattle pastures. The pastures are very poor in nutrients, so support only very low densities of cattle. At the end of the dry season the pastures are set on fire to promote new grass growth and kill cattle parasites. These fires rage uncontrolled, setting fire to further areas of forest.  Deforested areas are much hotter and drier than the rainforests. Consequently the average temperature of the entire Amazon region rises and the humidity falls even more dramatically.  This causes major changes in the vegetation structure of the remaining areas of rainforest, leading to reduced biodiversity even in protected areas.

The remaining forests are under severe threat of destruction by US-based companies which seek to burn down the forests and replace them with vast soybean plantations, used to produce bio-fuels ! Please visit the rainforestportal website where you can find further information, and take part in on-line petitions to save the Amazon.

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