Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Orange-banded
Gem
Crocozona coecias
HEWITSON, 1866
Family -
RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Crocozona coecias coecias female,
Satipo, Peru
Introduction
There are 4 species in the genus
Crocozona,
which is closely allied to
Charis.
Two of these,
pheretima
and
fasciata,
have broad orange bands on the forewings, while the others,
coecias
and
croceifasciata,
have thinner bands on both fore and hindwings.
The
Lamas ( 2004 ) checklist of neotropical butterflies lists both butterflies as subspecies of
Crocozona coecias,
but some other taxonomists ( e.g. d'Abrera ) consider their to be
enough evidence ( such as the much more strongly incurved forewing
bands of
arcuata
) to list them as entirely separate species.
The wing shape is typical of the Riodinidae, as are the bright
colours. Many members of the family have bands of red or orange,
or are peppered with metallic silver, blue or green scales, and
are colloquially known as metalmarks. There are over 1150 known
species of metalmark in Central and South America, but much
smaller numbers in other regions of the world. In Europe there is
only one member of the family - the Duke of Burgundy.
Crocozona coecias coecias
occurs in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
Crocozona coecias arcuata
occurs in Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas.
Crocozona coecias coecias female,
Mariposa, Satipo, Peru
Habitats
This species occurs in disturbed rainforest habitats at elevations
between about 200- 1800m. It is usually seen along roadsides, riverbanks, wide
forest tracks or other semi-open habitats.
Lifecycle
This appears to be unrecorded.
Adult behaviour
This sun-loving little Riodinid can
often be found in two's and three's basking on ferns or other low
foliage in open, forested habitats. It has a rapid twisting flight
that is difficult to follow, but it usually resettles only a short
distance from it's original position.
The
butterfly does not appear to visit flowers, or to imbibe moisture
from the ground, so it's feeding habits remain a mystery.
In very hot
weather, or when there is a threat of rain, the butterflies hide
beneath the leaves of bushes or low growing herbage, with wings
outspread.
Crocozona coecias coecias male,
Tingo Maria, Peru |
