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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2007, and must not be published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
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Butterflies of
the Andes
Royal Perisama
Perisama calamis
HEWITSON, 1869
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe -
CALLICORINA
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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.
Website
designed, produced and owned by
Adrian Hoskins
Perisama calamis, Manu cloudforest,
1400m
Introduction
The genus
Perisama
comprises 32 known species, all confined to the neotropics, and all found in
cloudforest habitats at altitudes between about 1200-2200 metres.
These medium-sized butterflies are characterised by having dark brown or velvety
black uppersides, marked with diagonal bands of turquoise or green on the
forewings, and often with a band of the same colour around the margins of the
hindwings.
Perisama
calamis is unusual
amongst the genus, having the basal two-thirds of the forewings a shimmering
royal blue, within which is a large patch of brilliant cyan. It is certainly one
of the most brilliantly coloured and beautiful members of the genus.
The
butterfly occurs in southern Peru and
Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found on the eastern slope of the Andes, at altitudes between
about 1200-1600m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of this and all other
Perisama
species appears to be unknown.
Adult behaviour
Like other Perisama species, the butterflies spend the early mornings and late afternoons settled high in the trees, but become very active in mid-morning, dashing back and forth between the tree tops and the surface of the ground.
This species is usually seen singly, sometimes in the company of other Perisama species, visiting damp ground close to human habitations. The butterfly is extremely active in hot sunshine, flitting rapidly back and forth just above the surface of the ground, stopping momentarily here and there on logs, stumps, rocks, wood-shavings and other objects.
In cloudy weather the butterflies are loathe to leave these favoured spots, and will bask for long periods on the ground, awaiting the return of sunshine. Only the threat of rain causes them to abandon their haunts and return to the nearby forest.
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