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Scientific Name
Epiphile imperator
ATTAL, 2005
Specie in
Family

Imperial BannerEpiphile imperator, male, Rio Kosnipata valley, Manu, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

The Biblidinae are recognised by their diverse but simple and colourful patterns. In the neotropics their representatives include the tribe Epiphilina, which includes the genera Pyrrhogyra, Asterope, Temenis, Nica, Peria, Lucinia, Bolboneura and Epiphile.

There are 16 Epiphile species, distributed variously from Mexico to Bolivia. All have a similar pattern of bright orange bands on a dark brown ground colour. In males of most species the dark areas are overlaid with a strong purple-blue iridescence. In females the orange is replaced by white, and there is no iridescence. The underside hindwings of all species are similar to those of imperator, having a marbled pattern with a series of post-median ocelli and a cream ‘tooth’ mark on the costa.

Epiphile imperator is confined to Ecuador and Peru.

Habitats

This species is found on the eastern slope of the Andes, at altitudes between about 400-1200m.

Lifecycle

To be completed.

Adult behaviour

The butterflies spend most of the day high in the canopy, but males occasionally descend to imbibe mineralised moisture from the edges of shallow streams. They never fully outspread their wings but often hold them at an angle of 45�, or fan them rapidly as they walk over the wet ground.

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Epiphile imperator
by
ATTAL, 2005
Family
SubFamily
BIBLIDINAE
Tribe
EPICALIINI
SubTribe
EPIPHILINA

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