Search

The present paper describes the population parameters and natural history of Heliconius hermathena hermathena (Hewitson, [1854]), a sand forest specialist nymphalid butterfly. Population biology was described based on a 14-month mark-recapture program in a site of open forest in Pará state, northern Brazil. The population was constant through the year, with no marked peaks of abundance for both sexes, with females always less abundant. The range of the population size was 70-150 individuals (with a maximum near 200 individuals). Sex ratio was male biased, with males dominating most of the time. Average residence time was of 35 days for males and 31 days for females, with a maximum of 139 days recorded for males and 129 days for females, with both sexes presenting survival curves approaching the type II survival curve. Males presented wing sizes greater than females in all months. Adults were observed visiting five species of flowers as nectar and pollen sources and establishing communal nocturnal roosting aggregations on small shrubs. Considering the fragility of the Amazonian white sand forests, understanding the population patterns of H. h. hermathena can help future conservation planning for these potentially threatened habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes the immature stages of the common Neotropical satyrine butterfly Pareuptychia ocirrhoe interjecta (R.F. d'Almeida, 1952). The solitary eggs are white and round, turning black 4 to 6 hours after oviposition. The four solitary larval instars are predominantly green and feed on grasses (Poaceae), including Setaria in nature and several other native and introduced species in captivity. The pupa is short and smooth and entirely green. Except for the black eggs, the immature stages are similar to those of other forest species of Euptychiina. The most remarkable and unique characteristic of P. ocirrhoe interjecta is the shiny black eggs, a possible synapomorphy for Pareuptychia not known in any other Euptychiina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new subspecies of ithomiine butterfly, Oleria gunilla lourdes n. ssp., is described from northern Mato Grosso in central Brazil. The new taxon is confidently assigned to Oleria gunilla on the basis of both morphological and molecular evidence. Its wing pattern, with a broad expanse of orange on the dorsal forewing, is typical of the mimetic color patterns found in Ithomiini in the upper Amazon and Andean foothills of Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, very far from the type locality in northern Mato Grosso, where this taxon has no known co-mimics. Future studies are needed to investigate the mimetic relationships of this taxon with other sympatric butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immature stages of the Neotropical mistletoe butterfly Archonias brassolis tereas (Godart) (Pieridae: Pierini) are described and illustrated for the first time from the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil. Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves of the mistletoe Phoradendron sp. (Viscaceae). Larvae are gregarious and underwent five instars. Mature caterpillars present yellow aposematic color pattern; pupae are yellow with black dorsal projections. Morphology, host plant use and behavior of immature stages are similar to species in the Catasticta group. An additional species of mistletoe butterfly, Brangas sp. (Lycaenidae), with gregarious and aposematic yellow caterpillars was found in sympatry on the same leaves of the host plant. These findings suggest that both interspecific competition and larval mimicry are important traits in the ecology and evolution of mistletoe butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new subspecies of Anthanassa drusilla, ssp rioverde, is described from Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This new subspecies is isolated from all other known subspecies of A. drusilla by at least 2000 km, and its closest taxon based on wing pattern is Anthanassa drusilla higginsi, from Cerro Neblina, Venezuela. To our knowledge, the species is endemic to the region of Poços de Caldas Plateau (Minas Gerais), a region of high natural radiation and heavily impacted by mining. Since the entire geographic distribution and conservation status of this subspecies is unknown, it is highly recommended that immediate measures are taken to minimize the environmental impact on the area of occurrence of this butterfly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A population of Parides ascanius butterflies was studied for 12 months in Rio de Janeiro, SE Brazil. The population size was approximately 10-20 individuals with a maximum of 50 individuals. Sex ratio was biased, with males dominating in most months. The residence time was 12.7 ± 10.1 days for males, with a maximum of 28 days. Males travel distances of up to 400 m, but most individuals were recaptured within 150 to 250 m of their original capture site. Our results show that P. ascanius has a relatively long adult life span and maintains high population numbers, suggesting that habitat loss rather than population attributes explains its rarity and endangered status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on places where endangered species of the butterfly Actinote Quadra are found. Topics discussed include the butterfly found in four sites in Southern Brazil, Brazil's Caparaó National Park and the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain; the need to improve species distribution data and conservation of Actinote Quadra.

The article focuses on the study by De Silva and colleagues on the ovipositioning of neotropical ithomiine Oleria onega. The study discusses the behavior of the male and the female species when ovipositioning in its host plants. It also comments on the study conducted such as the lack of actual observation of the ovipositioning event.

The article focuses on the discovery on new traits of the endangered Brazilian swallowtail Heraclides Himeros Baia. It discusses the propensity of the apecies to a similar method of transect counts in a given site as that of the other species of Heraclides. It also mentions the other traits of the species including those in the conservation area.

The article discusses the rediscovery of the joiceya praeclarus, a species of butterfly in the family of riodinidae. Topics discussed include the availability of studies about the natural history and ecology of riodinid species, the importance of the biological observations of the species, and its geographical distribution.