Biology of the butterfly Marpesia zerynthia Huebner 1823 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Andean Venezuela (original) (raw)
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The morphology, natural history and behavior of Morpho cypris immature stages are described for the first time. The location and use of two secretory glands, one that was previously undescribed, are noted and discussed with respect to glands found in other groups of Lepidoptera. A comparison of Morpho cypris early stage development, behavior, defenses, and host plant use within the context of the genus Morpho, and the subfamily Morphinae is provided. A survey to elect a butterfly that exemplifies the neotropics would very likely result in most ballots being cast for the genus Morpho-one of the most conspicuous of all butterflies. Historically these butterflies have captured the imagination of visitors to the neotropics; testimonies to this are found in accounts of the early naturalists (e.g., Bates, 1864; Belt, 1874). Today frequent references to Morpho are found in travel brochures and natural history articles, and they are often centerpieces for the popular butterfly houses. No one can fail to be impressed by the sight of Morpho butterflies because, alive or dead, they delight the imagination, and give pause for thought. A literature inspired mainly by collectors and insect dealers treats Morpho but terflies as art objects. In this system the collectors want their cabinets filled with as many named specimens as possible, and it is to the advantage of dealers to offer a variety of units for sale. The collectors/dealers interested in Morpho found that many of the species are wide ranging and variable, and thus fertile ground for the naming of forms, aberrations, and even individual specimens. For example, the magnum opus written by the enthusiastic dealer and collector Eugene Le Moult recognizes over 70 species, and hundreds of forms of Morpho-at least 77 forms of which he described himself (Le Moult and Real, 1962). Perhaps the proliferation of names was good for business, but to the serious student of butterflies it was excessive. In his overview of the neotropical fauna, D'Abrera soberly recognizes 27 species of Morpho, and points out that Le Moult and Real's work is more of a commercial catalogue than a serious taxonomic revision (D'Abrera, 1984). Although there is a substantial anecdotal literature, relatively little work has been published on the early stages or life cycles of Morpho. The work of A. Young and his colleagues has furthered our understanding of the Central American species (see Young, 1982 and included citations), while Otero (1966) has summarized natural history information on some of the South American species. Two broader systematic works that provide information relevant to Morpho early stages include a summary
Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society, 2010
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The Canary Islands experienced higher than average rainfall during the winter of 2009-2010. I visited many areas of the Lanzarote but most of my records are from Playa Blanca, in the south of the island, where I was based for the duration of my stay. I took the ferry across to the island of Fuerteventura on two separate occasions. The first trip was on 30 January, the second on 23 February when I was accompanied by Dr Peter Russell. Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) (Figs 1, 2). Common in gardens and gullies in the vicinity of Playa Blanca. Specimens were scarce and mostly worn when I first arrived in January but widespread and fresh by early March. Ova were laid on Lotus lancerottensis (Webb & Berthel.). Cacyreus marshalli (Butler, 1898). Widespread and fairly common on Lanzarote wherever Pelargoniums had been planted (Playa Blanca, Puerto Calero). Several specimens were seen at Betancuria, Fuerteventura on 30 January. Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879) (Fig. 3). Two females were observed at Tinajo, Lanzarote, on 19 February and another fresh female on 10 March in a field where Lotus lancerottensis was growing in abundance. A small colony was discovered at Playa Blanca in a dry gully next to the Natura Palace Hotel on 4 March. Some of the specimens were worn, others fresh. Here again, Lotus lancerottensis was growing in abundance and adults were always observed in close proximity to this plant. Some males had black marginal spots on their upperside hindwings while other specimens had no spots. Several photos were taken showing this variation in markings. Ova were laid on Lotus lancerottensis and in captivity the larvae accepted a wide range of Fabaceae.
A new species of butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the highlands of Southeastern Brazil
Zootaxa, 2020
A new species of the butterfly satyrine subtribe Euptychiina is described: Carminda surpresa sp. nov. This species is apparently restricted to high altitude wet grasslands in southeastern Brazil. The description is based on morphological features, mainly from the wings, and male and female genitalia, and molecular data were also obtained and are used to validate the new species. Information about the geographic distribution, habitat and immature stages morphology is also provided. The systematic position of C. surpresa sp. nov. is discussed based on a molecular analysis which includes all described species of Carminda in addition to other species of Satyrinae.
Zootaxa, 2009
This study provides a species-level phylogeny for the Neotropical brassoline genus Opoptera Aurivillius based on 37 morphological characters. A revised generic definition is given, and two species groups are supported. The syme-group includes three species from the Brazilian Atlantic forest. The aorsa-group includes O. staudingeri (Godman & Salvin) from Central America, three species from western and northern South America, and one species from the Atlantic forest. Two subspecies are elevated to species status: O. hilaris Stichel, NEW STATUS and O. bracteolata Stichel, NEW STA- TUS. Two new combinations are proposed: O. hilaris fuscata Stichel, NEW COMBINATION and O. hilaris colombiana Rothshild, NEW COMBINATION. Diagnoses and illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided for the eight recognized Opoptera species. Wing color, male scent organs, and male and female genitalic morphology are described and discussed.