Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Yellowspot Joker
Cyllopoda
osiris
CRAMER,
1777
Family - GEOMETRIDAE
subfamily -
STERRHINAE
Tribe - CYLLOPODINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Cyllopoda
osiris,
Rio Madre de Dios, 400m, Peru |
Introduction
In the
19th century Henry Walter Bates realised that some butterflies were toxic to
birds. He noted that birds appeared able to memorise the bold patterns of these
butterflies, and could thereby learn to avoid attacking them again, so avoiding
illness. He also noticed that a large number of butterfly species, even ones
that were quite unrelated, had very similar patterns and colours. Linking these
observations he postulated a theory of mimicry, whereby palatable species - by
a process of natural selection - become almost identical
in appearance to toxic ones, thereby fooling birds into leaving them alone. This type of
survival strategy became known as Batesian mimicry.
Recent
evolutionary research by
Lynn Margulis challenges this, suggesting that evolution ( and in all
probability mimicry ) is the result of cooperation between organisms
rather than competition. The theory
proposes that primitive single-celled creatures came
into existence as a result of microbes, bacteria and photosynthesis
coming together to form a cooperative 'Gaia' organism.
Advances from primitive to more highly developed species would
accordingly be the result of additional organisms joining such
'communes', and ultimately forming symbiotic associations. If true this
could explain why mutually beneficial relationships and symbiosis
are so widespread in the natural world. It could equally be the
driving process behind the evolution of mimicry.
It seems likely that
Cyllopoda ( Geometridae ) could be members of
another mimicry complex that involves many small yellow and black diurnal moths
including
Xanthiris flaveolata (
Geometridae ), Seriocastnia amalthea ( Agaristidae
),
Erbessa macropoecila ( Notodontidae ); and
butterflies of such diverse ancestry as Chamaelimnas
briola ( Riodinidae ) and Cabirus
procas ( Hesperiidae ).
Cyllopoda
osiris is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Habitats
This species is found in rainforest habitats at altitudes between about 200-700
metres.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle
and larval foodplants are unknown. Other members of the subfamily Sterrhinae,
which includes the 'Waves' and 'Mochas' of the Holarctic region, generally have
thin green caterpillars, and are disguised as green stems. They rest in typical
Geometrid fashion, gripping a stem with the rearmost prolegs and anal claspers,
and with their bodies held straight at an angle of about 45° to the stem.
Adult behaviour
Males are often seen in one's and
two's aggregating on sandbanks or dry riverbeds with
Xanthiris flaveolata,
Atyria albifrons ( both Geometridae
), Seriocastnia amalthea (
Agaristidae ) and other black and yellow diurnal species. This
strongly suggests a Mullerian or Batesian mimicry complex, where
unrelated genera have evolved a common aposematic colour scheme to
advertise their actual or supposed toxicity to insectivorous
birds.
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