Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Andes
 
Diotima Gem
Orophila diotima  HEWITSON, 1852
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe - CALLICORINA
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Orophila diotima, Manu cloudforest, 1500m, San Pedro, Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The genus Orophila is closely allied to Perisama, with which it often flies. There are only two species in the genus - cardases and diotima, both of which are confined to the Andes.
 
Orophila diotima occurs in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
 
Orophila diotima, Manu cloudforest, 1900m, Peru
 
Habitats
 
This species inhabits cloudforests in the eastern Andes, at altitudes between about 1300-2200m.
 
Manu cloudforest, 1400m, San Pedro, Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Lifecycle
 
Unknown.
 
Adult behaviour

 

The butterfly is usually encountered as solitary males, aggregating with Perisama and various Satyrines to imbibe dissolved minerals from moisture on damp paths or at the edge of rivulets.

 

The adults tend to favour areas of dappled sunlight, and in these conditions will often bask with wings outspread on the ground.

 

In warm sunshine they tend to spend most of their time settled on the foliage of bushes and trees, at heights of between 2-6 metres, making occasional forays to the sunlit ground, but rarely settle for more than a second or two in one spot.

 

 
 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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