Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Four-spot
Pixie
Melanis hillapana
RÖBER, 1904
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
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Melanis hillapana, dwarfed by the
moth Urania leilus, Satipo,
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
hillapana is found in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. It
can be confused with leucophlegma, but the latter
has a less jagged white band on the forewings.
Melanis hillapana, Satipo,
Peru
Habitats
This species inhabits pre-montane rainforest and cloudforest at altitudes
between about 200-1200m.
Melanis hillapana
flies throughout the year but is commonest in the early part of the dry season.
Melanis hillapana, Satipo,
Peru
Lifecycle
I have no information
specific to hillapana 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.
Melanis hillapana, Satipo,
Peru
Adult behaviour
Males of this species are
usually seen singly or in very low numbers, visiting damp sand or
rocks from which they imbibe mineralised moisture. They hold their
wings fully or almost fully outspread while feeding. Males of
several Melanis species are reported
to
fly around the canopy of Samanea
trees ( Leguminosae )
in search of females. Females nectar at Inga,
Cordia and
Albizia.
Melanis hillapana, Satipo,
Peru
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