Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Desert
Pixie
Melanis leucophlegma
STICHEL, 1910
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
Melanis leucophlegma, Chaparri
desert, Peru
© Tony Hoare
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
leucophlegma occurs in
Ecuador and northern Peru.
Habitats
This species is found in semi-desert habitats at altitudes
between about 500-2000m.
Lifecycle
I have no information
specific to leucophlegma 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
To be completed.
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