Ancyluris etias, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The genus Ancyluris comprises of 16 beautiful tailed Riodinids, all confined to the neotropical region. They are closely related to the genus Rhetus, so much so that the females of Ancyluris aristodorus and Rhetus periander are almost indistinguishable, at least from the uppersides.
Males of most Ancyluris species have black uppersides with red bands. In females these bands are broader and paler. In jurgensenii the bands on the female are pure white, and in aristodorus and formosissima they are white in both sexes. Males of all species have a blue iridescence on the underside of the wings.
Ancyluris etias is distributed along the eastern Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia.
Habitats
This is a mid-elevation rainforest species found at altitudes between about 400-1200m.
Lifecycle
I have no data regarding etias but the lifecycle is probably very similar to that of other Ancyluris species as follows: The eggs are white and highly sculptured. They are laid singly in fissures on the stems or twigs of the foodplants. Egg-laying females tend to settle high up, then walk backwards down the stem, probing with the ovipositor in various places before depositing each egg. The larval foodplants are trees in the families Melastomaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The larvae are gregarious, living in small groups of mixed instars. They are reported to be cannibalistic.
Adult behaviour
Males can be found imbibing moisture from bare soil or sandy riverbanks. They are nearly always encountered singly.
Ancyluris etias, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins