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Arawacus separata
The pattern serves to divert the eye of birds away from the butterfly's head and body, and towards the "false antennae" tails. Immediately after settling the butterfly characteristically gyrates to face in the opposite direction and dips its head. It then slowly oscillates the hindwings, causing the tails to wiggle, which further acts to focus the observer's attention on the rear of the butterfly. - learnaboutbutterflies.com
tropical rainforest, amazon
I spotted this at Mandiyaco gorge, near Mocoa.
Thanks Gerardo and bayucca. Looks like I put the common name in both fields, ooops! At least I had the right ID.
Spotted on Jan 8, 2013
Submitted on Jun 28, 2013
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