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Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Capucinus Sister
Adelpha capucinus  WALCH, 1775
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - LIMENITIDINI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 

Adelpha capucinus, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru
 
Introduction
 
There are 85 known species of Adelpha, all but one of which are confined to the neotropical region.
 
Adelpha are characterised by having a distinctive marbled pattern overlaid on a dark brown ground colour; and by the presence of a broad orange or white band on the forewings. The hindwings of most species have a white median band.
 
While it is easy to recognise the genus, determining the individual species can often be very difficult, a problem exacerbated by misidentified or mislabelled specimens in certain entomological books. The only reliable resource for identification is the book "The genus Adelpha" by Keith Willmott, from which this photograph was identified.
 
Accurate identification requires careful examination of the configuration of orange markings in the subapical area on the forewing. In most cases it is also essential to examine the patterning on the undersides, by which means otherwise similar species can be distinguished.
 
Adelpha capucinus occurs from Venezuela to Bolivia.
 
Habitats
 
This species is found in primary rainforest east of the Andes, at altitudes between sea level and about 1300m.
 
Lifecycle
 
Unknown, but the following generalisations are applicable to the genus Adelpha :
 
The larval foodplants of Adelpha species are diverse, although the majority of species feed on Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae or Ulmaceae.
 
The eggs of most species are white or pale green, and laid singly on the foliage of the foodplants.
 
The larvae are cryptically coloured and have 2 rows of conspicuous spines along the back, with those on the first two segments enlarged and directed forward, while the third pair are directed backward.
 
The pupae, which are suspended by the cremaster, are in some species green or brown, while others are entirely silver, and shiny. The pupae of some species are decorated with numerous spikes and projections, and sometimes have very prominent palpi.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Like most Adelpha species this butterfly is usually seen singly or in small groups. Males can often be found in mixed Nymphalid aggregations imbibing moisture on riverbanks or sunny forest tracks. They also feed at dung, urine soaked soil and decomposing fruit on the forest floor; and prefer to feed in dappled sunlight, avoiding exposed river beaches.

 

 

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