Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Great Blue Hookwing
Napeocles jucunda
HÜBNER, 1808
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - VICTORINIINI
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Napeocles jucunda, Satipo, Peru |
Introduction
The
genus Napeocles contains just a single species
jucunda. There is contention among taxonomists as
to which tribe it should be placed in - Lamas for example places it alongside
Anartia, Junonia,
Hypolimnas and Siproeta
in the tribe Kallimini, which also includes the Indian Dead Leaf butterfly
Kallima inachus. The most recent revision of the
Nymphalidae however, by Wahlberg in 2008 has Napeocles
classified within the tribe Victoriniini, and lists only
Kallima, Doleschallia,
Catacroptera and Mallika in Kallimini.
Napeocles
jucunda is found in Peru, Bolivia and south-west Brazil.
Habitats
This species inhabits rainforest at the foothills of the eastern Andes, at
altitudes between about 400-800 metres above sea level.
Napeocles jucunda, Satipo, Peru
Lifecycle
To
be completed.
Adult behaviour
This large and most magnificent butterfly spends most of its time
high in the canopy, but sometimes descends to settle on the lower
foliage of trees. To see this species it is usually necessary to
find a viewpoint from where the observer can look down onto such
foliage from a high vantage point.
When settled the wings are usually held erect, displaying the
"dead leaf" underside, but in the late afternoon when temperatures
drop, the butterfly will sometimes bask with wings outspread.
Napeocles jucunda, Satipo, Peru
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