Introduction
The tribe Melitaeini is of worldwide distribution. It includes the Crescents and Checkerspots, and also many familiar European species such as the Marsh, Glanville, Spotted and Heath Fritillaries.
There are 2 known species in the genus Gnathotriche – mundina and exclamationis. Gnathotriche mundina produces several subspecies including mundina, fallax and steinii which each bear a remarkable resemblance on both wing surfaces, and in behaviour, to various Acraeines such as Altinote momina, A.dicaeus and Abananote erinome. Several other unrelated species from other subfamilies also mimic these toxic Acraeines including Castilia northbrundii, Castilia perilla, Eresia actinote ( Melitaeini ), Lymanopoda acraeida ( Satyrinae ), Paraphthonia cteatus ( Riodininae ) and several moths in the subfamily Pericopinae ( Arctiidae ). Altinote have a closed cell on the hindwing, enabling them to be distinguished from Melitaeini. Gnathotriche mundina is distributed from Colombia to Bolivia.
Habitats
This is a cloudforest species found at altitudes between about 1200-2800m.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The males are commonly found ‘mud-puddling’ in the company of Altinote species on road surfaces, along stream-edges and at other sources of mineral rich moisture.