Marpesia zerynthia
Marpesia zerynthia | |
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M. z. dentigera, Panama | |
asl
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Marpesia |
Species: | M. zerynthia
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Binomial name | |
Marpesia zerynthia | |
Synonyms | |
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Marpesia zerynthia, the waiter daggerwing, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Primarily found in Mesoamerica,[2] it can also be observed in regions slightly north and south of this area.
Distribution
The distribution of Marpesia zerynthia is limited to the Neotropical realm. Specifically, it is known to occur in the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and northern Brazil. It also occurs in Mesoamerica, including central Mexico, and vagrants may rarely be observed as far north as Texas, United States.[2] This species inhabits tropical deciduous and evergreen forests, and maycan be found in open areas. Marpesia zerynthia occurs at altitudes up to 2,400 m. It is generally a cloud-forest species, and so it is most common between approximately 800 to 1,800 m.[3]
Biology
Ovum
Eggs are laid singly on the leaves of trees and shrubs in the family
Larva
After eclosion, the young caterpillar is generally cylindrical, lacking ornamentation on the head or body. The head capsule is lustrous black, and the remainder of the body is a transparent pale green.[4] The mature caterpillar is quite colorful, usually marked with yellow and/or red stripes and spots. A single row of unbranched spines runs along the back. The head is decorated with a pair of very long spines.[3] The larvae feed on leaves of the plant on which they were laid.[2] The larvae rest on the upper surface of the foliage, and feed diurnally.[3] They are indiscriminately intolerant of the presence of any intruder, even of other larvae of the same species. As a defense mechanism, when disturbed, the larva will violently move its spiny head from one side to the other until the disturbance ceases.[4]
Pupa
The angular pupae are pale green, marked with darker spots. Spines project outwards down the head and the abdomen. At the base of the wing case is a sharp black spike. A bifurcate spine, short and thick in shape, projects from the mesothorax. Two black spots are present on the back of the head, and orange or yellow coloration, developing to dark brown, is visible at the intersections between body segments.[4]
Imago
Development from egg to adult takes 32 days or less.
Behavior
Marpesia zerynthia is typically encountered in small groups of approximately six to twelve males, which are attracted to wet sand and mud to
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:
- Marpesia zerynthia zerynthia – Brazil: Bahia
- Marpesia zerynthia dentigera (Fruhstorfer, 1907) – Texas to Colombia, Peru, and possibly Ecuador[5]
Synonymy
Invalid names historically assigned to Marpesia zerynthia include:
- Nymphalis coresia Godart, [1824][6]
- Papilio sylla Perty, 1833
- Megalura zerynthia dentigera Fruhstorfer, 1907
- Marpesia coresia (Godart, 1824)[4][7]
See also
References
- ^ Savela, Markku. "Marpesia Hübner, 1818". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. FUNET. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Attributes of Marpesia zerynthia". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Hoskins, Adrian. "Butterflies of the Amazon and Andes". Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g Orellana, Andrés (1997). "Biology of the Butterfly Marpesia zerynthia Hübner 1823 in Andean Venezuela" (in English and Spanish). Mérida, Venezuela: Academia.edu. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ "Marpesia zerynthia". Gwannon. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ "Nymphalis coresia Godart, 1824". ITIS Report. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ "Marpesia zerynthia dentigera (Fruhstorfer, 1907)". Butterflies of America. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
External links
- Butterflies of the Amazon and Andes, general description of the species
- Academia.edu, scientific paper that documents the previously poorly known immature stages in detail
- Butterflies of America, photographs of type specimens