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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Andes
 
Orange-banded Metalmark
Crocozona coecias HEWITSON, 1866
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily - RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Crocozona coecias arcuata Venezuela
 
Crocozona coecias coecias 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 most recent checklist of neotropical butterflies ( Lamas, 2004 ) lists the two butterflies illustrated above 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.
 
Habitats
 
This species occurs in disturbed rainforest habitats at elevations between about 500- 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.

 

 
 
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.
 
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