Siproeta epaphus

Siproeta epaphus (Siproeta epaphus)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — nymphalidae

Genus – siproeta

Appearance

The caterpillar is dark maroon, almost black decorated with orange-branched spines along the back and sides. The head is black with a pair of backward-curved horns.

It has large wings, averaging 7.0–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in), that are black in the inner portion of the top surface and brown throughout the underside. Both surfaces have a bold white transverse stripe continuing across both wings. The outer portion of the forewings, beyond the white stripe, is rusty orange in the widespread subspecies Siproeta epaphus epaphus; it is mostly or entirely black in the other two subspecies.

Habitat

Siproeta epaphus is distributed from Mexico to Argentina.

Behavior

It demonstrates daily activity. Butterflies are poisonous.

The butterflies are usually encountered singly or in two's and three's, flying on sunny mornings in disturbed habitats including pastures, forest clearings, riverbanks and roadsides. They have a rapid fluttering and gliding flight, settling frequently to bask on low foliage or bare ground. Males often imbibe mineralized moisture from damp roads, muddy riverbanks, scree or rock faces and at such times usually hold their wings half-open while flitting gently from spot to spot. Females make egg-laying runs back and forth along forest edges.

Diet

The caterpillars feed on the leaves of Ruellia, Justicia and Blechum from the Acanthaceae family.

Butterflies feed on flower nectar.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. The eggs are dark green with yellow ribs, and are laid in small clusters on young leaves of Ruellia or Blechum (Acanthaceae). It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums with a mesh cover for 6-8 insects. In the terrarium, you need to place a forage plant. The insects should be kept at the temperature of 22-25 ^o C and humidity of 60-70%. The chrysalis is pale green with the thorax and abdomen covered in minute black dots and small orange thorn-like projections. The duration of the pupa stage is 8-10 days.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed the butterflies with honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.