Consul panariste ludmilla, Antioquoia, Colombia – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The tribe Anaeini comprises of 87 neotropical species in the genera Coenophlebia, Consul, Anaea, Polygrapha, Siderone, Fountainea and Zaretis. The butterflies are characterised by having a very rapid and strong flight. They have stout bodies, falcate wings, and on the upper surface are usually black, marked with bands of orange, red, or lustrous blue according to species. The undersides of all Anaeini are cryptically patterned and bear a strong resemblance to dead leaves or tree bark.
There are 4 species in the genus Consul, of which fabius is the commonest, most widespread and well known. The others are panariste, excellens and electra.
Consul panariste occurs from Guatemala to Colombia and Venezuela.
Habitats
This species inhabits cloudforest at elevations between about 1000-2000m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes spend much of their time in the forest canopy. They occasionally descend to bask on the ground or on foliage. More often they are seen indulging in high speed acrobatics around trees and bushes, invariably disappearing under a leaf periodically, where they remain for several minutes before venturing into the air again.