Introduction
The tribe Melitaeini is of worldwide distribution. It includes the Crescents and Checkerspots of North America and also many familiar European species such as the Marsh, Spotted and Heath Fritillaries.
Most of the 14 Tegosa species have orange uppersides with blackish wing borders, and an irregular black diagonal streak across the forewing connecting the costa to the tornus. There are exceptions however e.g. tissoides is entirely dull earthy brown on the upperside, and nigrella is black with large white patches. The undersides of Tegosa species are brownish or greyish in colour, lightly marbled with dark-edged greyish blotches on the hindwings.
Tegosa etia is distributed along the Andes from Ecuador to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found mainly along the foothills of the Andes, at altitudes between about 600-1200m.
Lifecycle
Unknown, however the larva of the closely related Tegosa anieta is reputed to feed on Vernonia and Mikania ( Asteraceae ), so it is reasonable to assume that Asteraceae are commonly used by other Tegosa species.
Adult behaviour
Males are commonly seen in groups of up to a dozen, settled on wet ground at the sides of small streams or fords. They tend to flutter from spot to spot, fanning their wings rapidly, and periodically pausing to imbibe water.
