Cybdelis boliviana, male, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The Biblidinae are recognised by their diverse but simple and colourful patterns. In the neotropics their representatives include the tribe Epicaliini, which includes the genera Eunica, Catonephele, Nessaea, Myscelia and Cybdelis.
There are 3 Cybdelis species – mnasylus, phaesyla and boliviana. All have a similar pattern of white spots on the dark forewings, which are overlaid with a deep purple sheen. The species can easily be distinguished by examining the hindwings – in phaesyla these are plain dark brown, in boliviana they have a large central blue patch, and in mnasylus they have a central white spot, shot with purple.
Cybdelis boliviana is confined to Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found on the eastern slope of the Andes, at altitudes between about 400-1200m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of this and all other Cybdelis species appears to be unknown.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies appear to spend most of the day high in the tree tops, but males will occasionally descend to imbibe mineralised moisture from damp soil or boulders, and will fully outspread their wings either in full sunshine or in shady or overcast conditions.