Butterflies of
Mexico & USA
Anna's "88"
Diaethria anna
GUERIN-MENEVILLE, 1844
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe -
CALLICORINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Diaethria anna, Mexico.
( image
courtesy © Tony Hoare )
Introduction
The
"89" or "88" numerals which appear on the underside hindwings of this species
are present in all 12 of the
Diaethria species
but vary in colour, thickness and shape. In neglecta
for example the lines are quite thick, and the markings form an '89' figure,
whereas in others such as clymena and
anna they are thin and form the '88' which gives
them their colloquial names.
The
butterflies often frequent human dwellings, and are considered a sign of good
luck by some communities.
The
genus is confined to the neotropics, with 3 species found in Mexico, while the
remainder are largely Amazonian or Andean.
The
uppersides of anna and most other
Diaethria species are blackish, marked on the forewings with a diagonal band,
usually in
metallic blue or green. In some forms of anna
the upperside bands reflect pastel pink tones under certain lighting conditions.
Diaethria anna is found from Costa
Rica to Mexico, and as a rare stray in Texas.
Diaethria anna, showing pink
reflections, Mexico.
( image
courtesy © Tony Hoare )
Habitats
This species is
found in wet tropical forests at elevations between about
200-1200m.
Lifecycle
The eggs, in common with those of other
Diaethria
species, are whitish, and laid singly on the leaves of the foodplant.
The caterpillar
when fully grown is green, with a double row of pale spots along
the back. The head is adorned with a pair of very long whorled
spines. The larval foodplant is Trema
( Ulmaceae ).
The
chrysalis projects horizontally, attached by the cremaster from a stem. It is green, with
white dots on the back.
Adult behaviour
As with all
Diaethria species the males are strongly attracted to urine-soaked
sand, and also imbibe dissolved minerals from damp soil, road
surfaces and rock faces. They are very active butterflies, easily
disturbed, and rarely settle for more than a few seconds at a time
in one spot, although they will return repeatedly to the same
patch of ground.
They are usually seen in two's or three's, but sometimes
congregate in large numbers at favoured spots.
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