Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
White-spotted Satyr
Manataria hercyna
HÜBNER, 1821
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
SATYRINAE
Tribe - MELANITINI
subtribe -
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Manataria hercyna,
Satipo, Peru. |
Introduction
There are 1100 known species of Satyrinae in the neotropical
region.
The systematic placement of Manataria
within the Satyrinae
was for many years very uncertain. Lamas took the first step in
2004 when he placed it in the
subtribe Parargina, considering it to be
closely allied to the European genera
Pararge, Lasiommata and
Kirinia, and the Oriental
Lethe. In 2006 Wahlberg, Peña
et al
published the results of a DNA sequence analysis of the
higher level phylogeny
of Satyrine butterflies, resulting in the transferral of
Manataria to the tribe
Melanitini, and thereby recognising it as a close relative
of the African Gnophodes and
Oriental Melanitis Evening
Browns.
The
genus Manataria
comprises of a single species hercyna, which is
distributed across most tropical and subtropical regions of Central America and
South America, from Mexico to Bolivia.
Manataria hercyna,
Satipo, Peru.
Habitats
This butterfly is migratory, and consequently can be found in a diverse range of
habitats including lowland primary rainforest, deciduous forest, cloudforest,
puna grasslands, cattle pastures and urban environments. It has been recorded at
all elevations between 0-2800m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is
reported to be Chusquea but in view of the
relationship between Manataria and
Melanitis it seems more likely that grasses are
used.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are crepuscular / nocturnal in behaviour, and most
commonly seen when they enter houses at night, or when attracted
to moth traps. At dusk they can be attracted to rotting plantain
or to shrimp paste bait. Despite being a common species, they are nearly always seen singly.
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