Philaethria dido
Splendour Passion Butterfly ( Philaethria dido )
The splendor Passion Butterfly ( Philaethria dido ) is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
Description
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 75 to 88 mm. Their wings are long and narrow. The basic color is black. On the fore wings are three large, bright yellow -green to malachitgrüne stains, one of which runs as a narrow longitudinal strip from the wing root to the center along the front edge. Also on the hind wings there is a large green spot which almost fills the entire surface. There is also a chain of green spots that run along the outer edge. The underwings show a similar color pattern as the tops toward the front edge of the green spots are limited by a red line.
Caterpillar
Full-grown caterpillars have a whitish to pale green ground color, a yellowish underside and are equipped on the back and sides with many black or reddish spines.
Doll
The dolls have a brownish color are mottled gray and white reminiscent of bird droppings to be protected from predators.
Similar Species
The color similar Malachitfalter ( Siproeta stelenes ) differs by the shorter and wider wing shape, green transverse bands and the absence of the longitudinal strip on the front upper wing surface. The similar Philaethria is pygmalion colored larger and predominantly turquoise. The red boundary lines on the hindwing underside are only weakly developed or lacking. This species occurs primarily in the estuary of the Amazon before in the state of Pará.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the magnificent Passion Falters includes the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Central America, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and western parts of the Amazon basin. The species prefers to live in tropical rain forests.
Way of life
The moths are found in the northern distribution area from July to December, through the south throughout the year. To accommodate nectar they like to suck on various flowers, for example on Cissus species. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of passion vines ( Passiflora ), including Passiflora laurifolia, Passiflora vitifolia, Passiflora edulis and Passiflora ambigua.
Subspecies
The following subspecies are distinguished:
- Philaethria dido choconensis, in western Colombia
- Dido dido Philaethria