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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cyan-banded Perisama
Perisama jurinei jurinei
GUENÉE,
1872
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - CALLICORINI
subtribe -
CALLICORINA
Perisama jurinei jurinei, 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
jurinei
occurs from Colombia to Bolivia. The illustrated subspecies jurinei
is found in southern Peru and
Bolivia.
Perisama jurinei jurinei, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m
Perisama jurinei jurinei, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m
Habitats
This is a high altitude Andean cloudforest species, found at elevations between
about 1200-2200m.
Perisama jurinei jurinei, male, Manu cloudforest,
1700m
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
in one's and two's, nearly always in the company of other Perisama
species, visiting damp ground close to human habitations. The
butterfly is very active in hot sunshine, flitting rapidly back and forth
just above 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.
Perisama canoma cotyora ( left ),
with Perisama jurinei and
Pyrrhopyge phidias
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