Dynamine setabis agnes, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The Biblidinae are known for their diverse but simple and colourful patterns. In the neotropics their representatives include the subtribe Eubagina, within which are placed the 40 Dynamine species.Most Dynamine species including ines have metallic bluish or greenish uppersides, with a dark apex and a series of white spots. Some species however are white, with black markings. The undersides of most species are white, attractively marked with narrow bands of orange – and in some species also with conspicuous ocelli and small patches of metallic blue scales.
The greatest diversity of Dynamine species is found in the Amazon basin, but the distribution of the genus ranges from Mexico to Bolivia.Dynamine setabis is distributed from Colombia to Peru.
Habitats
This species is found in the foothills of the eastern Andes, at altitudes between about 200-1000m.
Lifecycle
The eggs of most Dynamine species are white. They are laid singly on the leaf axils or flower buds of Euphorbiaceae genera such as Tragia and Dalechampia. The larvae are described by DeVries as being slug-like, with tiny rosettes of spines on the back. The pupae are greenish, elongate, with a slightly bifid head and a pronounced dorsal keel, and suspended by the cremaster from stems or leaves.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are only active in hot sunny conditions, when they can be seen flying rapidly in zig-zag fashion along sunny tracks in the mornings. During the afternoon males visit dry river beds, well vegetated rocky river beaches and damp ground along sunlit forest tracks and roads.
The wings are normally kept closed, but they periodically fan them as they flit about from spot to spot on the ground, probing for mineral-rich moisture.
In cooler conditions both sexes also bask on low foliage, with wings half open.