Stalachtis phlegia phlegetontia, Manaus, Brazil – Wolfgang Kaehler www.wkaehlerphoto.com
Introduction
There are 6 known species in the genus Stalachtis, distributed variously from Panama to Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.All Stalachtis species are marked with orange, black and white but the patterns differ greatly from species to species. Some such as calliope and magdalenae have markings similar to those of ‘tiger complex’ Ithomiines while others have been likened to tiger moths ( Pericopinae ). Ithomiines and tiger moths are both known to be noxious and unpalateable to birds, and it has been suggested that calliope and magdalenae are palatable Batesian mimics. In the absence of supporting evidence it would of course be unwise to assume that such similarity proves the existence of mimicry.
Two of the other Stalachtis species, phaedusa and lineata, are transparent except for bright orange bands on the outer part of the wings, and veins that are heavily outlined in black. The 2 remaining species euterpe and phlegia have black wings patterned with white or semi-transparent spots, and conspicuous orange patches.
Stalachtis phlegia is known from Venezuela, Surinam and Brazil, but probably also occurs in Guyana and Ecuador. There are 5 named subspecies.
Habitats
This species is found in rainforest at altitudes up to about 500m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle appears to be unknown.
Adult behaviour
The adults are usually encountered as solitary males, perching on or under foliage with their wings fully outspread.