Introduction
The tribe Acraeini is primarily African – there are for example 83 species in Kenya, and about 230 in the whole African continent. There are also a few species in Asia, and an estimated 55 in the whole of the neotropical region.
In the neotropics the Acraeini are represented by 3 genera, most members of which have a pattern of red or orange-yellow bands on the forewings. Actinote comprises of thinly scaled species whose wings have a translucent and shiny appearance. The other two genera Abananote and Altinote are heavily scaled and boldly marked.
Altinote have velvety black wings, banded in most species with bright red, orange or yellow. They are toxic models which form part of a complex mimicry ring involving Heliconius, Gnathotriche, Eresia, Castalia and various Ithomiine genera. Altinote characteristics which in combination make it possible to distinguish them from other genera include short straight antennae with flattened clubs, and closed cells on the hindwings. The latter can most easily be seen from the underside.
Altinote neleus occurs as 2 named subspecies, and is found in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Habitats
This species inhabits cloudforest at elevations between about 1200-2000m.
Lifecycle
I have no information specific to neleus. The following generalisations are applicable to the genus Altinote : The eggs are yellowish and barrel-shaped. They are laid in batches of between 50-100 on the foodplants which according to species include Eupatorium, Vernonia, Mikania ( Asteraceae ) and Boehmeria, Mikania ( Urticaceae).
The caterpillars are typically dull greenish or brownish in colour. They are adorned on the back and sides with rows of short branched blackish spikes which in some species have mildly urticating properties. They live gregariously until the final instar. The pupae are whitish or pale yellow, marked with black spots or lines on the wing-pads and short black spikes on the abdomen. They are suspended from stems or foliage.
Adult behaviour
The males are commonly found ‘mud-puddling’ in the company of other Acraeines on road surfaces, along stream-edges and at other sources of mineral rich moisture.