Butterflies of
Mexico & USA
Orange-striped "88"
Diaethria pandama
DOUBLEDAY, 1848
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe -
CALLICORINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Diaethria pandama, 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.
Diaethria pandama is found from
Mexico to Panama.
Habitats
This species is
found in cloudforest habitats at elevations between about
800-1600m.
Lifecycle
The eggs are whitish, and laid singly on the leaves of the foodplant
Serjania.
Adult behaviour
Diaethria pandama
is usually seen singly.
As with all
Diaethria species the males are strongly attracted to urine-soaked
sand, and also imbibe dissolved minerals from damp soil, road
surfaces, stones and rocks. 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.
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