Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
"89" butterfly
Diaethria neglecta
SALVIN, 1869
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - CALLICORINI
Diaethria
neglecta,
male, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The
89 or 88 numerals which appear on the underside hindwings of this species
are present in all 12 members of the genus
Diaethria,
but vary in thickness and shape according to species. The extent of the red
markings on the underside hindwings, particularly at the point where they meet
the black submarginal lines, is also a useful identification diagnostic.
The
upperside wings are blackish, marked on the forewings with a diagonal band of
metallic blue or green. In some species ( including
clymena
) this colour is repeated on the hindwings in the form of a submarginal band.
Diaethria are often found near human dwellings, and are
considered a sign of good luck by many native communities.
The
genus Diaethria is confined to Central and South
America - 3 species are found in Mexico while the
remainder including neglecta are widely distributed
across the Amazon and Andes.
Diaethria
neglecta occurs from
Panama to Bolivia.
Diaethria
neglecta, male, Manu
cloudforest, 900m, Peru
Habitats
This species occurs at elevations between about 200-1700m, in rainforest and
cloudforest habitats where the larval foodplant
Trema
( Ulmaceae ) grows.
Lifecycle
The eggs in common with those of other
Diaethria
species are whitish and highly sculptured. They are laid singly on the underside
of leaves of Trema ( Ulmaceae ),
close to the midrib.
The
larva is green, with a slightly roughened texture, and bears a pair of
short spikes on the anal segment. The head bears a pair of very long whorled
spines. The larva habitually rests on the upper surface of
a leaf, with the thoracic segments raised and the head appressed to the
substrate, causing the spines to project upward. If molested the
larva twitches violently, swinging it's head defensively from
side to side to scare away predators or parasitoids. The
chrysalis is suspended by the cremaster from a leaf or stem. It is green, with a
dorsal keel, and projecting palpi.
Diaethria
neglecta, Satipo, Peru
Adult behaviour
Both sexes are attracted to
rotting fruit. The males are strongly attracted to urine-soaked
sand, and also imbibe dissolved minerals from damp soil, road
surfaces and rock faces. They are very active butterflies, easily
disturbed, and rarely settle for more than a few seconds at a time
in one spot, but they will return repeatedly to the same
patch of ground.
They are usually
seen in two's or three's, but sometimes congregate in large
numbers at favoured spots. They are commonly found in the vicinity
of human habitations, e.g. on river banks close to jetties, at
places where laundry is washed,
at ash covered ground at the site of campfires, and at
urine-tainted patches of bare ground.
When not feeding,
males perch on the upper surface of leaves at a height of
about 2-3m, awaiting passing females. They also commonly
perch facing head-downwards, on walls or tree trunks.
Just before sunset, males often bask
with wings almost fully outspread, on the foliage of trees and
bushes, before eventually retiring beneath a leaf where they spend
the night, protected from rain.
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