Butterflies of
the Amazon rainforest
Red-barred
Amarynthis
Amarynthis meneria
CRAMER, 1776
Family - RIODINIDAE
subfamily -
RIODININAE
Tribe - RIODININI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Amarynthis meneria,
male, Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
small and very beautiful Red-barred Amarynthis is a common species found in
lowland rainforests east of the Andes from Venezuela, Surinam and Guyana, south
through the Brazilian Amazon to Peru and northern Argentina.
This
delightful butterfly is the only member of the genus
Amarynthis.
There is a certain amount of variation in the extent of the red and white
markings as can be seen from the two males illustrated, but it is an instantly
recognisable species.
Habitats
The butterfly is associated with a wide range of rainforest habitats including
secondary and transitional forest, riverine habitats, and terra firma primary
rainforest. It seems to be confined to lowland areas, perhaps to a maximum
altitude of about 800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Amarynthis meneria,
male, Madre de Dios, Peru
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Adult behaviour
The butterfly spends much of it's time resting under leaves with
wings held flat, but will periodically dart out, and in overcast
or cool conditions will often bask on the upper surface of leaves.
It tends to stay
within the forest, and is often seen, either singly or in two's or
three's, along narrow paths where dappled sunlight penetrates to
ground level.
Although males
will occasionally "mud-puddle" at damp ground, they tend to do so
in slightly shaded areas such as peccary wallows, rather than in
the full sunlight encountered on river sandbanks.
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