Hesperocharis nereina, male, Pauti, Junin, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The tribe Anthocharidini, which includes the Orange-tip, Bath White and Dappled White butterflies of the Palaearctic region, is represented in the neotropics by the genera Eroessa, Mathania, Cunizza and Hesperocharis.
The genus Hesperocharis includes 12 known species, although it is likely that others still remain to be discovered. The uppersides of all species are creamy-white or yellow, usually with the forewing apex black or brownish. On the undersides, all members of the genus have dark veins and chevrons similar to those in the illustrated insect, although they vary in prominence from species to species.
Hesperocharis nereina occurs only in Peru and Bolivia. Most of the other Hesperocharis species are also Andean, but a few occur in the Cordilleras of Costa Rica, the Sierras of Mexico, and the Atlantic cloudforests of Brazil.
Hesperocharis nereina, male, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Habitats
This species inhabits rainforest and cloudforest habitats at altitudes between about 400-1800m.
Lifecycle
I have no data relating to nereina but the following description of the Costa Rican species H. crocea may be relevant : The eggs are laid in batches on the leaves of Loranthaceae. The larvae, which feed gregariously, are a dull reddish colour, covered with fine white setae. The chrysalis is mottled in green, white and brown, and is said to resemble a bird dropping.
Adult behaviour
Males of nereina are usually seen singly, or occasionally in two’s and three’s, imbibing mineralised moisture from the edges of puddles or shallow streams.
Hesperocharis nereina, male, Pauti, Junin, Peru – Adrian Hoskins