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Text and photographs
protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
2007, and must not be published
in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the
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Butterflies of
the Andes
Salambria Firewing
Catonephele
salambria
FELDER & FELDER, 1861
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe -
EPICALIINA
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian
Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part
or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from
Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
Website designed, produced and owned by
Adrian Hoskins
Catonephele
salambria, male, Manu cloudforest, 1700m, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Catonephele
contains 11 large species, with wingspans of circa 65-80mm. The males are dark
brown on the upperside, with extremely reflective brilliant 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 the basal
and submarginal areas of the hindwings deep red.
Both
sexes of all species have cryptic undersides patterned variously in shades of
brown.
Catonephele salambria
occurs from Colombia to Bolivia.
Catonephele salambria, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m, Peru
Habitats
This species breeds in pre-montane rainforest and cloudforest habitats at
altitudes of between circa 500-1800 metres, unlike other
Catonephele
species which generally occur at altitudes between 100-1600 metres.
Lifecycle
I have no data relating to
salambria,
but the following is applicable generally to the genus
Catonephele
:
The
eggs are barrel-shaped, white or yellowish, and laid singly on seedling trees in
the genera Alchornea,
Dalechampia
or Veconcibea
( Euphorbiaceae ).
The
fully grown caterpillars are variable, some species being dark green and mottled
with white spots, while others are black with maroon markings. In all species
the larvae bear prominent whorled spikes along the back and sides. They rest
with the front of the body arched so that the head faces downward, and the body
held in an 'S' shape. If attacked by parasitoids or predators they wriggle
violently.
The
pupae are green, with brown or silvery wing-cases, and attached by the cremaster
to leaves, so that the body projects 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 plantain or banana on the ground, and probably feed primarily at overripe fruits in the forest canopy. Males also imbibe mineral-rich moisture from damp earth along forest tracks and roads.
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