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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.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
 
Edocla Redring
Pyrrhogyra edocla DOUBLEDAY, 1848
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - BIBLIDINAE
Tribe - BIBLIDINI
subtribe - EPIPHILINA
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Pyrrhogyra edocla, male, Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The genus Pyrrhogyra includes 6 known species, all marked on the underside with large white areas enclosed within rings that are formed from narrow red lines. An unusual and notable feature is that the butterflies also have red eyes.
 
All Pyrrhogyra species are very similar in appearance. They can be distinguished from one another by careful examination of the markings around the margins of the underside hindwings, and by comparing the size and shape of the greenish-white areas on the dark brown uppersides.
 
The butterflies are exclusively neotropical, some species being found as far north as Mexico, and others as far south as Bolivia and Paraguay, but the state of Amazonas in Brazil probably has the highest diversity of species.
 
Pyrrhogyra edocla is the most widespread and common species, found from Mexico to Bolivia.
 
Habitats
 
This butterfly can be found in most mid-elevation forest habitats, including deciduous areas, and at all altitudes from about 500-1600 metres.
 
Lifecycle
 
The eggs are pale yellow, shaped like flattened cones, and laid singly on young leaves of the foodplants.
 
The caterpillar is pale green, densely covered on the back and sides with branched black spikes. The head is deep pink, and bears a pair of long whorled spikes. The caterpillars feed diurnally on the foliage of small Paullinia or Serjania plants ( Sapindaceae ).
 
The chrysalis is green, with brown wing-cases, and is attached by the cremaster to the upper surface of a leaf, projecting laterally.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Males are usually encountered singly or sometimes in two's and three's, when imbibing moisture from urine-soaked sand, damp rocks or wet foliage. These feeding sites are usually within the forest, at light gaps or on wide trails, although the butterflies will also visit open sandbanks.

 

I have also seen them at rotting fruit and at dung, sometimes in the company of huge 3cm long ants, which totally ignore the butterflies. This suggests that Pyrrhogyra adults may possibly disseminate pheromones which have a pacifying effect on ants.

 

Females are seen less frequently, usually when basking on low foliage between egg-laying sessions, or when visiting flowers.

 

If disturbed by birds or humans the butterflies fly off rapidly, and hide upside-down beneath the leaves of bushes, usually no more than a metre from the ground. They also go to roost in similar situations overnight or in dull or wet weather.

 

 
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