Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Orange-bordered
Pixie
Melanis cinaron
FELDER & FELDER, 1861
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Melanis cinaron, Manu cloudforest,
Peru
Introduction
The
name
Melanis
refers to the melanic pigment of the black scales which cover the distinctively
shaped wings of all members of this genus. Many
Melanis
species are marked with orange borders on the hindwings, and / or
similarly coloured diagonal bands on the forewings. In some species the apex of
the forewings is orange, and in others there are large red spots near the base
of the wings.
There are 27 known members in the genus. One particularly attractive species, M. pixe,
has a range extending from Mexico to Panama, but the majority of species are
found in the Andes mountains, or in the Amazonian lowlands.
Melanis
cinaron occurs in
Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species inhabits pre-montane rainforest and cloudforest at altitudes
between about 900-2000m.
Lifecycle
I have no information
specific to cinaron but the lifecycle is likely to
be similar to that of other Melanis species : The larvae are hairy, and feed
gregariously on the leaves of trees in the
family Leguminosae. The pupae are said to be formed in clusters on tree
trunks.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies have a slow fluttery flight, drifting gracefully above
the vegetation at a height of about 1-2m above ground level.
They favour overcast conditions and will fly even during light
rain. On cloudy days they are often one of the first species to be
seen on the wing. In sunny conditions they remain hidden beneath leaves, but if cool
will venture out to nectar at
Eupatorium
or
Lantana.
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