Mechanitis polymnia
| Mechanitis polymnia | ||||||||||||
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Mechanitis polymnia polymnia |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mechanitis polymnia | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The Mechanitis polymnia ( English : Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing ) is a butterfly ( butterflies ) from the noble butterfly family (Nymphalidae). It is widespread from Mexico to the Amazon rainforest.
description
The wingspan is between 65 and 75 millimeters. The highly variable species can always be recognized by an isolated, light red, round and non-comma-shaped spot in the anal angle on the upper side of the forewings, which is present in both sexes.
The small white egg is barrel-shaped.
The adult caterpillar is smooth with sparse hair and has clearly pronounced fleshy appendages with a black point at the base. The caterpillar of M. polymnia isthmia is pale yellow and light gray in color.
The squat, silvery, shining fall doll has large wing sheaths and is strongly curved at the back; it is curved in the opposite direction at the head.
Mimicry and similar types
Other species of the genus Mechanitis are similar to Mechanitis polymnia , as well as Tithorea harmonia , Melinaea ethra , Hypothyris lycaste , Thyridia psidii . Together with Dismorphia amphione , Dismorphia eunoe , Eueides isabella , Heliconius ismenius , Mechanitis polymnia forms mimicry rings.
distribution
The butterfly occurs from Mexico to the Amazon rainforest. The habitat ranges from sea level to 1500 meters. In Costa Rica it is the most common species of the Ithomiini tribe.
Way of life
The moths live in almost all habitats. For example, they are also common in the streets of all major cities in Costa Rica. In contrast to related species, which only fly in the shade of the forests, they can also be found in direct sunlight over open areas.
The eggs are laid in groups of 10-40 eggs. The caterpillars weave a cushion on the plants and live socially. They feed on different species of the genus nightshade ( Solanum ). Detected are jaltomata repandidentata , Solanum chrysotrichum , Solanum hartwegii , jamaicense Solanum , lanceifolium Solanum , rudepannum Solanum , rugosum Solanum , Solanum siparunoides . All host plants are wire-haired, woody shrubs and climbing plants in secondary habitats. The caterpillars do not seem to take up any toxins from the plants in order to produce their own toxins from them, which make them almost inedible for vertebrates.
Subspecies
- Mechanitis polymnia angustifascia Talbot, 1929
- Mechanitis polymnia casabranca Haensch, 1905
- Mechanitis polymnia chimborazona Bates, 1864
- Mechanitis polymnia eurydice Haensch, 1905
- Mechanitis polymnia isthmia Bates, 1863, from Mexico to Panama.
- Mechanitis polymnia kayei Fox, 1967
- Mechanitis polymnia lycidice Bates, 1864
- Mechanitis polymnia polymnia (Linnaeus) 1758
- Mechanitis polymnia veritabilis Butler, 1873
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c Philip J. De Vries: The butterflies of Costa Rica and their natural history . Princeton University Press, 1997, ISBN 0-691-08420-3 , pp. 221 .
- ^ A b Charles Leonard Hogue: Latin American insects and entomology . University of California Press, 1993, ISBN 978-0-520-07849-9 , pp. 351 .
- ^ William A. Haber: Monteverde Natural History - Mechanitis polymnia Bates
- ↑ Nymphalidae - Ithomiinae. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, archived from the original on February 15, 2009 ; Retrieved May 7, 2013 .