Butterflies of the Amazon
Butterflies in the Amazon rain forest seem to mystically flit from plant to
plant and only rest for a brief moment before gracefully escaping along the
banks of the river. According to the Incas, butterflies were a supernatural
phenomenon. They thought the butterflies were angels because their wings folded
up to resemble praying hands. Each butterfly was worshipped differently based
on the colors of its wings (Celso Hidalgo Riz). Butterflies first mystically
appeared to the Incas near Macchu Picchu, but they are also in abundance in
Northwest Peru where the Explorama lodges are stationed along the Amazon River.
“Current Investigations show that Peru has been graced with more than 20%
of the butterfly fauna in the world…over 3,700 species found in the country.
The most diverse butterfly communities are found at moderate altitudes in the
Andean mountains of the Cajamarca, Amazonas, Huanuca, Junin, Cusco, and Puno
departments”(http://www.rumbosperu.com/articles/14-06-specialbutterfly.htm).
The photographs below are the species of butterflies seen at the four explorama
camps. The source for the scientific information is entirely from The Butterflies
of Costa Rica and Their Natural History. Vol.1: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae
by Philip J. DeVries. This book is the best field guide for Peruvian butterflies
for the reason that no scientist has yet to publish a butterfly book specifically
for Peru. Luckily, Costa Rica houses a majority of the same species of butterflies
as Peru.
1. Morpho peleides marinita
Characteristics: Distinguished by the bands of blue on its forewing and
the eyespots on its underside.
Interesting Facts: Has a zigzag flight alongside rivers, and the scent hairs
of the male when pinched smell like vanilla.
2. Chlosyne lacinia
Characteristics: Mainly notable for the large white spots that form a
band on its forewing.
Interesting Facts: Likes many flowers such as Lantana and Verbena, and is usually
found by roadsides, pastures, and all waste places.
3. Cithaerias menander
Characteristics: Transparent wings with a spot of red, yellow, or blue
on the hind wing and range from Mexico to the Amazon Basin.
Interesting Facts: Flies low to the ground and feeds on decomposing fungi and
rotting fruits.
4. Marpesia berania
Characteristics: Pale orange upper side with 6-8 bands.
Interesting Facts: Remains with its group and can live up to 3 months.
5. Marpesia Chiron
Characteristics: Upper side is brown.
Interesting Facts: Found near puddles and participates in mass migrations.
6. Caligo eurilochus sulanus
Characteristics: Large eyespot on underside of the hind wing.
Interesting Facts: Ranges from Guatemala to the Amazon Basin, and is sometimes
a pest to bananas.
7. Lycaenidae Hairstreak- not found in book.
8. Anartia jatrophae
Characteristics: White upper side with golden hind wing margins along
with three spots.
Interesting Facts: Likes open areas.
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Butterflies/english/gallery/peru_species/anartia_jatrophae_fr.html
9. Heliconius ismenius telchinia
Characteristics: Distinguished from similar species by the large eyes
and the presence of a black hind wing medial band.
Interesting Facts: Commonly found in rain forest habitats from dawn until midday
feeding upon Psiguria and Gurania.
http://www.rlephoto.com/troplep/Thumbs4.htm
10. Junonia evarete
Characteristics: Orange upper side and two eyes on wings.
Interesting Facts: Difficult to catch. There are two types of males and the
females are identical to species found in the United States.
http://public.fotki.com/vixik/w_butterflies/papilionidae_swallo/bahaman/anartiaf.html
11. Pseudopieris nehemia
Characteristics: Solid white with black edge around forewing.
Interesting Facts: Not much information is known about this species.
http://www.geocities.com/jateston/figuras/pnehemia.jpg
12. Phoebis rurina
Characteristics: Male and female both have hind wing tails and the majority
are yellow with red-orange around the margin.
Interesting Facts: Very fast and erratic flight patterns. Most common in the
rain forest canopies.
http://gwij20.chat.ru/Pieridae/Phoebis.htm