Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Melite Mimic White
Enantia melite
LINNAEUS, 1763
Family -
PIERIDAE
subfamily -
DISMORPHIINAE
Enantia melite theugnis, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The
Dismorphiinae are a small subfamily of dainty "whites" which includes the Wood Whites of Europe, and
about 50 neotropical species.
Features common to all Dismorphiine genera include the tapered and
down-curved antennae, long thin abdomens, elongated forewings, and over-sized hindwings.
In
some Dismorphiine genera such as Dismorphia sexual
dimorphism is very pronounced, with females looking like fairly typical Pierids,
while the males are often patterned in orange and black, closely resembling the
"tiger complex" Ithomiines. In
Enantia sexual dimorphism is less pronounced -
the females are paler and less heavily marked than males, but otherwise quite
similar.
Enantia comprises of 9 species, 4 of which (
mazai, lina,
jethys and albania )
reach as far north as Mexico, while the remainder are restricted to various
parts of South America. The ground colour on the upperside varies according to
species, from pure white to yellow or orange. The apex and outer margins are
black, but the markings vary in width and shape from species to species.
The underside colour of all species is quite variable and is
not a reliable guide to identification,
e.g. some specimens of melite are a very pale
whitish yellow, while others, even from the same site, can be deep primrose
yellow.
Distinguishing
the species requires examination of the upperside apical markings, and the
pattern on the underside - in mazai for example the
latter has pale brownish blotches, while in
melite, lina,
citrinella and limnorina there are greyish
bars which vary in curvature according to species. In
melite the bars are parallel, but pincer together at the h/w apex.
Enantia melite occurs from Mexico to Uruguay. The
illustrated subspecies theugnis is found in the
eastern Andes from central Peru to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in transitional rainforest / cloudforest habitats, at
altitudes between about 400-1600m. It is usually seen in mildly disturbed areas
such as roadsides and riverbanks.
Lifecycle
The
early stages are unknown.
Adult behaviour
Males are usually encountered
in one's or two's among aggregations of mud-puddling butterflies, and are strongly attracted to urine-tainted
sand. They always keep their wings closed while feeding, and often
adopt a forward-canted position.
Females are seen much less
frequently, but can sometimes be found nectaring at
Lantana and other flowering plants.
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