Butterfly Trip Reports - Venezuela 2002

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Trip Reports

Butterfly-watching Holidays

Venezuela

September 2002

a group tour organised by Geodyssey, designed and led by Andrew Neild

trip report by Adrian Hoskins

Venezuela - where giant spiders prey on birds... and butterflies feed on giant spiders !

Unlike their relatives from temperate zones, the butterflies of tropical Venezuela rarely take nectar from flowers, instead preferring to obtain their sustenance from tree-sap, fungal exudations and rotting fruit; or by imbibing dissolved salts from wet rocks, mammal dung, urine-soaked sand, or bird-droppings. An even stranger method of feeding was observed on this trip however, when a specimen of the incredibly beautiful Blue Doctor Rhetus periander, was seen feeding on the corpse of a giant tarantula on a track alongside the Rio Frio in the Venezuelan Andes !

Rhetus periander

Weather conditions at Rio Frio were quite variable, some days being very hot and brilliantly sunny, whilst other days were cool, overcast and occasionally rainy. The varied conditions encouraged a great diversity of species to put in an appearance - the cloudier days encouraging Satyrines and Brassolines, whilst the sunny days brought out Metalmarks, Nymphalids, Morphos, Swallowtails and masses of Pierids.

On one hot day, a host of fascinating and beautiful Nymphalids were attracted to mineral salts on a shaded rock-face. Here we saw the Rusty-tipped Page Siproeta epaphus, the truly beautiful green and brown Siproeta stelenes, the Stinky Leaf-wing Historis odius, the dazzling blue Doxocopa cherubina, and the beautiful red and black Callicore pitheas. A short distance away, Cracker butterflies Hamadryas februa, flitted around the trees, the males producing the unique cracking sound which helps them to differentiate between fellow males and potential mates.

Further along the track several stunning Skippers were observed, including Jemadia gnetus, banded with metallic turquoise and silver on a black ground colour. Others included Myscelus amystis, with orange-yellow wings beautifully marked with hyaline "windows", Quadrus lugubris, Mylon cajus, and the electric-blue Astraptes alector.

Tiny dazzling Metalmarks such as the metallic blue Lasaia agesilas settled momentarily on the track, and the very pretty brown and orange Crocozona coecias arcuata, which settled on low foliage, put in an occasional appearance.

Huge blue Morphos patrolled regularly along the track. Most spectacular amongst these was the sickle-winged Morpho rhetenor, whose intense iridescent blue colour almost defies belief.

The cloudier days encouraged some of the more active species to settle and bask. These included many beautiful Heliconius species, marked with bands of red, cream, and sometimes blue, on a velvet black ground colour. The real treat on the dull days however was to see the enormous Owl butterflies, such as Caligo idomeneus and Caligo atreus, which settled on rotting plantain fruit that Andrew had placed strategically to attract them. The Owl butterflies of course get their name from the feathery pattern and huge black avian eye-spot markings on the undersides of their wings. They have a slow flapping flight, and an attacking bird would have no difficulty in spotting where a Caligo landed. The huge false-eyes therefore probably function as decoys, diverting attack onto the wings and away from the body of the butterfly. This theory seems to be supported by my observations of Owl butterflies with large chunks pecked out of their hindwings.

Whilst many tropical butterflies such as the fiery orange Dryas iulia are brightly marked in aposematic ( warning ) colours, others are characterised by amazing camouflage patterns which make them almost impossible to spot when at rest. Amongst the most interesting is the Tiger-with Tails Consul fabius, banded with orange and dark brown on the upperside, but camouflaged underneath with a remarkable dead-leaf pattern. The jagged wings even have tails which simulate leaf stems ! Other examples include Hypna clytemnestra and Zaretis ellops, whose wings even have little windows that simulate the nibbled holes made in leaves by beetles.

Leaving the beautiful Rio Frio behind us we headed over mountain passes to La Azulita, an area of coffee plantations, cattle ranches, and patches of remnant cloud-forest. Cool damp weather and limited access to habitats kept butterfly sightings minimal, but we were rewarded by the sight of several attractive Acraeines, commonest of which was the stunning black and orange Altinote dicaeus. We also visited some cloudforest near Merida, where Pteronymia veia and several other Ithomiines were seen. These butterflies inhabit the darkest recesses of the forest. Many have transparent wings which render them almost invisible, but when seen in certain lighting conditions the clear membranes refract the light, producing a beautiful mother-of-pearl iridescence.

Finally came a long road journey to La Gira de Betijoque, near Valera. Initially the site seemed disappointing, as the first part of the forest track went through rural land. Further along the track however things got very exciting, with sightings of the beautiful blue banded Doxocopa clothilda, and several stunning Metalmarks including the black, red and blue Ancyluris huascar, the tiny Red Devil Mesene phareus, and the curious Underleaf Eurybia lycisca, which plays "peek-a-boo", with just it's head and the false-eye on the leading edge of it's forewings protruding from beneath a leaf.

Another curiosity was the Zebra Lycid Arawacus aetolus, marked with black and white zebra stripes, and possessing antenna-like tails on the hindwings. The pattern and positioning of the markings gives the impression that the butterfly is facing left instead of right, an illusion further enhanced by the butterfly's habit of rotating on it's axis instantaneously upon landing.

There are few areas of the world which can match Venezuela in terms of butterfly diversity, with a staggering 3000 species recorded. The Geodyssey tour allowed us to see and photograph several hundred of these, and to study their often extraordinary behaviour.

On the trip we were very fortunate to have a good-humoured and thoroughly capable tour leader - Andrew Neild, ensuring that everything ran smoothly, which it did until the penultimate day of the tour, when our adventure was brought to an abrupt end when the group was subjected to a vicious armed robbery. Most of us lost all of our camera equipment, and we were very lucky to escape alive.

Species recorded in Venezuela in September 2002

All species listed below, with the exception of the Hesperiidae, were identified in the field by Andrew Neild, supported by photographs taken by Adrian Hoskins, Tony Hoare and Peter Bruce-Jones. Reference sources consulted include the d'Abrera neotropical volumes, Neild's Butterflies of Venezuela, museum specimens, and the private collection of Andrew Neild. The Hesperiidae were identified by Adrian Hoskins and should be regarded as tentative determinations, as there are no adequate resources available to the public for their identification. Nomenclature follows Neild, and has NOT been updated to follow the more recent revision by Lamas.

Site	Family	sub-family	Genus	species	sub-species
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Anatrytone	barbara
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Anthoptus	epictetus	epictetus
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Pyrrhopygopsis	socrates	orasus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Remella	remus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Remella	remus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Saliana	fusta	fusta
Caracas	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Saliana	placens
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Saliana	placens
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Hesperiinae	Vettius	coryna	catargyra
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Heteropterinae	Dalla	cypselus	cyspelus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Heteropterinae	Dalla	cypselus	cyspelus
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Heteropterinae	Dalla	dimidiatus	dimidiatus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Achlyodes	busirus	heros
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Achlyodes	mithridates	thraso
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Antigonus	erosus
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Antigonus	nearchus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Antigonus	nearchus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Astraptes	alector	hopfferi
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Autochton	neis
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Autochton	neis
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Bolla	cupreiceps
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Bolla	cupreiceps
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Calaenorrhinus	eligius	eligius
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Camptopleura	theramenes
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Codatractus	alcaeus	apulia
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Cycloglypha	thrasibulus	thrasibulus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Epargyreus	exadeus	exadeus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Gorgopas	chlorocephala	chlorocephala
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Helias	phalaenoides	phalaenoides
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Helias	phalaenoides	phalaenoides
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Heliopetes	petrus
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Heliopetes	petrus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Heliopetes	petrus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Mylon	cajus	cajus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Mylon	lassia
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Nisoniades	ephora	ephora
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Polyctor	polyctor	dagua
Caracas	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Pyrgus	oileus	oileus
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Pyrgus	oileus	oileus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Pyrgus	oileus	oileus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Pyrgus	oileus	oileus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Quadrus	cerialis
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Quadrus	lugubris	ophia
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Quadrus	lugubris	ophia
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Sostrata	bifasciata	adamas
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Spathilepia	clonius
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Spioniades	artemides	artemides
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Spioniades	artemides	artemides
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Staphylus	mazans
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Staphylus	mazans
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Staphylus	musculus
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Theagenes	albiplaga	albiplaga
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Theagenes	albiplaga	albiplaga
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	chalco
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	dorantes	dorantes
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	dorantes	dorantes
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	doryssus	doryssus
La Chorerra	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	proteus	proteus
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	proteus	proteus
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	proteus	proteus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	proteus	proteus
Caracas	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	simplicius
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	simplicius
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	simplicius
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Urbanus	simplicius
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrginae	Xenophanes	tryxus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrrhopyginae	Jemadia	gnetus
Rio Frio	Hesperiidae	Pyrrhopyginae	Myscelus	amystis	amystis
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrrhopyginae	Passova	passova	styx
La Revancha	Hesperiidae	Pyrrhopyginae	Pyrrhopyge	creona
La Gira	Hesperiidae	Pyrrhopyginae	Pyrrhopyge	decipiens
La Gira	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Arawacus	aetolus	aetolus
Rio Frio	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Arawacus	aetolus	aetolus
La Gira	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Arawacus	togarna
La Gira	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Ministrymon	una
La Gira	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Panthiades	phaleros
Rio Frio	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Pseudolycaena	marsyas
Rio Frio	Lycaenidae	Theclinae	Symbiopsis	rickmani
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	cherubina
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	clothilda
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	cyane	cyane
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	laurentia	chlorotaenia
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	pavon	pavon
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Apaturinae	Doxocopa	zunilda	felderi
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Callicore	astarte	staudingeri
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Callicore	pitheas
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Callicore	pitheas
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Catonephele	acontius	acontius
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Catonephele	chromis	chromis
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Catonephele	numilia	numilia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Catonephele	numilia	numilia
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Catonephele	nyctimus
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Cybdelis	mnasylus	mnasylus
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	clymena	marchalii
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	clymena	marchalii
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	clymena	marchalii
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	gabaza	gabazina
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	neglecta	merida
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Diaethria	neglecta	merida
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	agacles	core
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	artemisia	ackeryi
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	colombiana
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	colombiana
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	paulina	paulina
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	postverta	postverta
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	postverta	postverta
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Dynamine	tithia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Ectima	thecla	thecla
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Eunica	alcmena	flora
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Eunica	alcmena	flora
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Eunica	caelina	olympias
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Eunica	caralis	caralis
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Haematera	pyrame	thysbe
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Haematera	pyrame	thysbe
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	amphinome	amphinome
Caracas	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	februa	februa
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	februa	februa
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	februa	februa
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	laodamia	laodamia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Hamadryas	laodamia	laodamia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Marpesia	berania	berania
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Marpesia	chiron
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Marpesia	petreus	petreus
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Marpesia	petreus	petreus
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Marpesia	zerynthia	dentigera
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Mestra	dorcas	hersilia
Caracas	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Nica	flavilla	canthara
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Nica	flavilla	canthara
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Nica	flavilla	canthara
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Orophila	cardases	campaspe
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	bomplandii	parabomplandii
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	dorbignyi	dorbignyi
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	goeringi
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	oppelii	angustifasciata
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	oppelii	angustifasciata
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	patara	patara
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Perisama	yeba	emma
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Pyrrhogyra	edocla	edocla
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Pyrrhogyra	edocla	edocla
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Pyrrhogyra	neaerea	kheili
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Sea	sophronia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Biblidinae	Temenis	laothoe	colombiana
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Agrias	claudina	sardanapalus
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Archaeoprepona	amphimachus	amphimachus
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Archaeoprepona	amphimachus	amphimachus
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Archaeoprepona	demophon	demophon
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Archaeoprepona	demophoon	andicola
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Archaeoprepona	meander	megabates
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Consul	fabius	bogotanus
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Consul	fabius	bogotanus
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Consul	panariste	ludmilla
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Fountainea	halice	chrysophana
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Fountainea	ryphea	ryphea
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Fountainea	ryphea	ryphea
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Hypna	clytemnestra
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Memphis	acidalia	acidalia
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Memphis	perenna	austrina
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Memphis	xenocles	xenocles
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Noreppa	chromus	priene
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Prepona	laertes	demodice
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Siderone	galanthis	thebais
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Zaretis	ellops
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Charaxinae	Zaretis	itys	itys
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Danaus	eresimus	estevana
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Danaus	plexippus	plexippus
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Danaus	plexippus	plexippus
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Lycorea	halia	atergatis
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Lycorea	halia	atergatis
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Danainae	Lycorea	ilione	lamirus
La Azulita	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Abananote	hylonome	basilia
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Abananote	hylonome	basilia
La Azulita	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
La Chorerra	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
Monte Zerpa	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	anteas	anteas
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	parapheles
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Actinote	pellenea	hahneli
La Azulita	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Altinote	callianthe
La Azulita	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Altinote	dicaeus	dicaeus
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Altinote	dicaeus	dicaeus
La Revancha	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Altinote	stratonice
La Azulita	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Altinote	trinacria	naura
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Dione	juno	juno
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Dione	juno	juno
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Dryas	iulia	alcionea
Rio Frio	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Dryas	iulia	alcionea
La Gira	Nymphalidae	Heliconiinae	Eueides	aliphera	gracilis
Rio Frio