Coolie

Description:

The Nymphalinae includes many of the most well known and beautiful Palaearctic butterflies such as the Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta, Painted Lady Vanessa cardui, Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa, Comma Polygonia c-album, and Peacock Inachis io. Among the neotropical representatives are Colobura, Smyrna, Napeocles, Siproeta, Baeotus, Historis, Junonia, Anartia and Hypanartia. The genus Anartia is closely allied to Junonia and its Afro-Oriental equivalent Precis and shares their liking for sunny open habitats in disturbed woodland. There are 5 Anartia species of which jatrophae and amathea are the most widespread. The others are lyrtea from Haiti, chrysopelea from Cuba, and fatima from central America. Anartia amathea is a common and very beautiful species which is found on both sides of the Andes, from Colombia to northern Chile. Its ubiquitous nature and contiguous populations result in regular exchange of genetic material, so no subspecies have yet evolved, and there is very little variation in markings between individuals.

Habitat:

This butterfly is found in disturbed habitats such as gardens, forest clearings, orchards, roadsides, fields and pastures. It also occurs in primary rainforest, along riverbanks and in glades. It is found at altitudes between sea level and about 1600m, but is commonest between 100-800m.