Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Pink-banded Sister
Adelpha lycorias
GODART, 1824
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - LIMENITIDINI
Adelpha
lycorias lara, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced,
Peru
Introduction
Adelpha
butterflies are colloquially known as "Sisters". In terms of
appearance they are reminiscent of the White Admirals (
Limenitis
) of Eurasia, and share with them a fondness for flitting gracefully around the
lower branches of trees in the dappled sunlight of the forest.
There are 85 known species of
Adelpha,
all except one of which are confined to Central and South America.
The
majority of
species are similarly marked with bands of white, and orange markings in the
subapical area but
lycorias
is unique in having broad pink bands across the forewings. There are several other species
e.g.
salmoneus
and
boreas which have a similar pattern, but with the band orange instead of
pink.
Adelpha
lycorias occurs from
Mexico to Paraguay, and also in the Atlantic cloudforests of Brazil.
Adelpha
lycorias lara, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced,
Peru
Habitats
This species is found at elevations between sea level and about 2500m but is
commonest in cloudforest habitats between 800-1800m.
Lifecycle
The
egg is white, and is laid singly.
The fully grown larva is pale brown. On the thoracic segments
it has a pale saddle
armed with 8 long whorled spines. A series of shorter spikes run
along the back and sides. The larvae feed on
Myriocarpa or Urera
( Urticaceae ) in rainforest, Trema
( Ulmaceae ) in deciduous forest, or Cecropia ( Moraceae ) in cloudforest. They
can be found resting on the upper
surface of eaves, where they adopt an "S" posture.
The
pupa is suspended by the cremaster from a twig. It is oddly shaped with an
enormous "jug handle" on the thorax. It is dark brown with bronze wing cases.
Adult behaviour
This species has a slower and
more graceful flight than the white-and-orange banded
Adelpha species. Males often
glide in circles at knee-height, alighting for a moment here and
there on damp soil to imbibe moisture.
Both sexes feed at rotting fruit, either in the canopy or on the
forest floor.
Adelpha
lycorias lara, Manu cloudforest, 1500m, Madre de Dios,
Peru
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