Butterflies of the
Amazon and Andes
Stichel's
Doctor
Ancyluris melior
STICHEL, 1910
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Ancyluris
melior, Shima, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Ancyluris
comprises of 16 beautiful tailed Riodinids, all confined to the neotropical
region. They are closely related to the genus
Rhetus,
so much so that the females of
Ancyluris aristodorus
and
Rhetus periander
are almost indistinguishable, at least from the uppersides.
Most
Ancyluris species have black uppersides marked with red bands which
tend to be paler in the females. The configuration of the bands on the
hindwings is the primary diagnostic for distinguishing between the various
species. In melior the black ground colour often
has a purplish sheen. Two species,
formosissima
and
aristodorus are marked with broad white
bands instead of the usual red. One species
inca,
has a flush of metallic blue on the upperside hindwings. Most species are bright metallic blue
on the underside, marked in some species with patches
of red. Males of all Ancyluris species have a blue
iridescence on the underside of the wings.
Ancyluris
melior is probably confined to Peru, and to Amazonas state, Brazil.
Habitats
This is a mid-elevation rainforest species found at altitudes
between about 400-1000m.
Lifecycle
I have no data regarding
melior but the lifecycle is likely to be similar to
that of other Ancyluris species as follows: The
eggs are white and highly sculptured. They are laid singly in fissures on the
stems or twigs of the foodplants.
Egg-laying females tend to
settle high up, then walk backwards down the stem, probing with the ovipositor
in various places before depositing each egg.
The larval foodplants are trees in the families Melastomaceae and Euphorbiaceae.
The larvae are gregarious, living in small groups of mixed instars. They are
reported to be cannibalistic.
Adult behaviour
This is an uncommon species,
but males can sometimes be found imbibing moisture from damp soil or
from the edges of puddles or streams. They are nearly always encountered singly,
and tend to avoid the heat of midday, preferring the cooler
conditions of early morning or late afternoon.
Ancyluris
melior, Satipo, Peru
© Peter Bruce-Jones
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