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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Manu Perisama
Perisama canoma canoma
DRUCE, 1874
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - CALLICORINI
subtribe -
CALLICORINA
Perisama canoma canoma, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m
Introduction
The
Biblidinae are recognised by their diverse but simple and colourful
patterns. In the neotropics their representatives include the Callicorina - a
subtribe of small-medium sized butterflies, marked on the uppersides with bands
of metallic blue or green.
The Callicorina includes the genus
Diaethria,
instantly recognised by the 88 or 89 markings on the
undersides, and
Perisama,
which are similar on the uppersides, but have plain undersides marked only with
dots and wavy lines.
The genus Perisama
comprises 32 known species. They are
medium-sized butterflies with blackish uppersides, marked
with diagonal bands of turquoise or green on the forewings. Many species also
have a
band of the same colour around the hindwing margins.
Perisama species are found
mostly in
the Andean cloudforests at altitudes between 1200-2400m, but there
is also a species endemic to Costa Rica, and another endemic to Mexico.
Perisama
canoma
occurs
from Ecuador to
Bolivia. The subspecies P.
canoma canoma is
found in southern Peru.
Perisama canoma canoma, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m
Habitats
This
species is found on the eastern slope of the Andes, at altitudes between about
1400-2000m.
Perisama
canoma canoma, male, San Pedro, Madre de Dios, Peru
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of this and all other
Perisama
species appears to be unknown.
Perisama canoma canoma,
Manu cloudforest, 1700m, Peru
Adult behaviour
This species is usually
encountered in two's and three's, aggregating with other Perisama
species, visiting damp ground close to human habitations, and is
attracted by animal urine on road surfaces and around buildings.
In hot sunny conditions the
butterflies are extremely active, dashing rapidly back and forth
between the tree tops and the surface of the ground, where they
stop
momentarily here and there on logs, stumps, rocks, wood-shavings
and other objects.
In cloudy weather they bask on the ground awaiting the return of
sunshine. In such conditions they are extremely loathe to leave
their basking places, and only the threat of rain causes them to abandon them and return to the nearby forest.
Perisama canoma canoma ( left ),
with Perisama jurinei and
Pyrrhopyge phidias
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