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protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
2007, and must not be published
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Butterflies of
the Andes
Irmina Sister
Adelpha irmina
DOUBLEDAY, 1848
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - LIMENITIDINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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.
Website designed, produced and owned by
Adrian Hoskins
Adelpha
irmina, male, Manu cloudforest, 1600m, Madre de Dios,
Peru
Introduction
There are 84 known species of
Adelpha,
a genus confined to Central and South America, with the exception of one species
which occurs as far north as California.
The
jagged orange bands on the forewings of
irmina
immediately distinguish it from most other
Adelpha
species. There are only two other species with which it can be confused :
irma,
which is smaller ( wingspan 42mm compared to 50mm in
irmina
) and has a small orange subapical spot on the upper forewings; and
saundersi,
which has large silver spots in the basal area of the underside hindwings.
Adelpha
irmina occurs from Colombia
to southern Peru.
Habitats
This is a butterfly of the pre-montane cloudforests, found at elevations between
about 1300-1900m on the eastern slopes of the Andes.
Lifecycle
Unknown,
but the following generalisations are applicable to the genus
Adelpha
:
The larval foodplants of
Adelpha
species are diverse, although the majority of
species feed on Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae or Ulmaceae. I would imagine
that
Cecropia
is the most likely foodplant, considering the habitats in which the butterfly
flies.
The
eggs of most species are white or pale green, and laid singly on the foliage of
the foodplants.
The
larvae, which are cryptically coloured, have 2 rows of conspicuous spines along
the back, with those on the first two segments enlarged and directed forward,
while the third pair are directed backward.
The
pupae, which are suspended by the cremaster, are in some species green or brown,
while others are entirely silver, and shiny. The pupae of some species are
decorated with numerous spikes and projections, and sometimes have very
prominent palpi.
Adult behaviour
This species is usually encountered singly, and appears to be localised in distribution.
It is similar in behaviour to lycorias, having a slower and more graceful flight than the white-and-orange banded Adelpha species.
Males probably spend most of their time high in the canopy, but occasionally appear on damp tracks and sunlit forest roads, alighting to imbibe moisture from damp soil.
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