Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Orange-patched
Crescent
Anthanassa drusilla alceta
HEWITSON, 1869
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - MELITAEINI
subtribe -
PHYCIODINA
Anthanassa drusilla alceta,
Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru
Introduction
The tribe Melitaeini is of worldwide distribution. It includes the
Crescents and Checkerspots of North America, and many familiar European
species such as the Marsh, Spotted and Heath
Fritillaries.
There are 16 known
species in the genus Anthanassa, most
of which are confined to the neotropical region, although 3 are
found in the USA.
Anthanassa drusilla is a widespread
insect found from Mexico to Bolivia. The illustrated
subspecies drusilla alceta is confined to the eastern Andes of Ecuador and Peru.
In the more widely distributed and familiar subspecies drusilla drusilla
the orange band on the forewing is greatly reduced in size, and
broken up into 2 small orange spots.
Anthanassa drusilla alceta,
Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru
Habitats
This species is found in disturbed areas of tropical and
subtropical forest, including clearings, river banks, roadsides,
pastures and other open areas, at altitudes between 200-1000m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle and
larval foodplants are unrecorded.
Adult behaviour
The illustrated butterfly was found in an area where large numbers
of Melitaeines were aggregating to imbibe moisture, but unlike the
other species this insect preferred shady conditions, and was the
only individual of it's type seen.
Anthanassa drusilla alceta,
Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru
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