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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Esthema Metalmark
Brachyglenis esthema
FELDER
& FELDER, 1862
Family -
RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe -
RIODININI
Brachyglenis esthema,
Manu cloudforest, 900m, Peru.
Introduction
Brachyglenis esthema bears a superficial
resemblance to several other metalmark species including
Thisbe hyalina, Chimastrum celina and
Pheles heliconides. These species however are only
distantly related, being members of 3 different tribes - Riodinini, Nymphidiini
and Symmachiini. This suggests that they evolved their patterns independently.
All bear more than a passing resemblance to certain day-flying Arctiid moths -
notably Calodesma uraneides, a species known to be
toxic to birds. This may indicate that the aforementioned Riodinids are
Batesian mimics of Calodesma.
It would seem that Brachyglenis,
Thisbe, Chimastrum,
Pheles, Esthemopsis,
Calodesma and various other species are elements in a complex group of
Batesian and Mullerian mimics involving several butterfly and moth subfamilies
among which are Riodininae, Ithomiinae, Pericopiinae, Geometrinae and Dioptinae.
The main features that help to distinguish Brachyglenis
from the others in this group are the labial palpi which in
Brachyglenis are white and appressed to the face;
and the diagnostic wing venation.
There are 4 species in the genus Brachyglenis,
variously distributed from Costa Rica to southern Peru.
Brachyglenis esthema is found in Peru and Ecuador.
Habitats
This species was photographed in transitional rainforest / cloudforest habitat
at an altitude of about 900 metres, and probably occurs over an altitudinal
range of about 400-1200m.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
I have only observed this species once. The butterfly appears to
be a male, and was seen basking on the upperside of a large leaf
in dappled sunlight, in the vicinity of a small waterfall. It
remained in the immediate area for at least 20 minutes, sometimes
settling under a leaf with its wings outspread.
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