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protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
2007, and must not be published
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Butterflies of
the Andes
Orange-banded
Metalmark
Crocozona coecias
HEWITSON, 1866
Family -
RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
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
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.
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