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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Chromis Firewing
Catonephele chromis DOUBLEDAY,
1848
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe -
EPICALIINA
Catonephele
chromis, male, Manu cloudforest, 1400m, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Catonephele
contains 11 species, with wingspans of circa 65-80mm. The males are dark
brown on the upperside with dazzling reflective orange patches
which vary in size and shape from one species to another.
The females are entirely
different in appearance. In most species their dark brown wings are marked with
linear rows of cream spots. The exception is numilia
which has a large cream patch in the median area of the forewing and in which the basal
and submarginal areas of the hindwings are deep red.
Both
sexes of all species have cryptic undersides in shades of
brown.
This species often shares it's
habitats with the very similar
Catonephele salambria,
but on the latter the orange bar on the forewing is less bulbous, and that on
the hindwing is broader. There are also major differences in the underside
markings.
Catonephele chromis
occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species breeds in rainforest and cloudforest at
altitudes between about 300-1800m.
Lifecycle
I have no
information specific to
chromis
but the lifecycle is likely to be similar to that of a typical
Catonephele species as follows:
The
eggs are barrel-shaped, white or yellowish, and laid singly on the foliage of seedling trees
of Alchornea, Dalechampia
or Veconcibea
( Euphorbiaceae ).
The
fully grown larvae are variable, some species being dark green mottled
with white spots while others are black with maroon markings. In all species
the larvae are adorned with prominent whorled spikes along the back and sides
and a pair of metallic blue spines projecting from the head capsule. They rest
with the body arched and the face appressed to the substrate. If molested by parasitoids or predators they wriggle
violently. The
pupa is dark green with brown or silvery wing pads. It is attached by the cremaster
to leaves, with the body projecting laterally.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually encountered singly. Males perch on
tree trunks, and bask on foliage or on fallen branches in light
gaps, often less than a metre above ground level, and are
reminiscent in behaviour of Nessaea.
If disturbed they usually spend a few moments circling cautiously,
but then resettle close to their original position.
Females are
scarcer, and usually seen when searching for oviposition sites
along forest trails, but occasionally bask on sunlit paths.
Both sexes are
attracted to rotting fruit and mammal dung.
Males also imbibe mineralised moisture from forest tracks and roads.
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