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Morpho epistrophus cf. argentinus
(Fruhstorfer, 1907)
Lepidoptera: Bombycina: Papilionoidea: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Morphini: Morphina
Caterpillar size/Tamanho da lagarta: ~3,5cm.
Wingspan of the adult: Males ~10cm / Females ~13,5cm.
Envergadura das asas do adulto: Machos ~10cm / Fêmeas ~13,5cm.
Posting again because the last picture was accidentally deleted. / Postando novamente pois a anterior foi acidentalmente deletada.
Wet primary rainforests with unadulterated vegetation, can also be found in secondary rainforests if these have regrown well enough. Encounters with these caterpillars (and butterflies) in an anthropic environment are really rare. The adults usually fly next to rivers and streams to feed on mineralized substances in the soil. These were found in an untouched forest in the neighborhoods of Benedito Novo, in Santa Catarina in Brazil.
Florestas úmidas primárias com vegetação inadulterada, também podem ser encontradas em florestas úmidas secundárias se estas se recuperaram bem o suficiente. Encontros com essas lagartas (e borboletas) no meio antrópico são muito raros. Os adultos normalmente são vistos voando acima de rios e córregos para sugarem minerais do solo. Estas foram encontradas em uma floresta intocada nas imediações de Benedito Novo, em Santa Catarina no Brasil.
Morpho epistrophus argentinus são membros da ordem Lepidoptera, subdivisão Bombycina, superfamília Papilionoidea, família Nymphalidae, subfamília Satyrinae, tribo Morphini e subtribo Morphina. As larvas se alimentam PRIMARIAMENTE (elas também se alimentam de outras plantas) de: Scutia buxifolia, Inga uruguensis, Lonchocarpus nitidus e Acacia longifolia. Os adultos se alimentam da seiva de árvores, frutas em fermentação (especialmente Artocarpus heterophyllus "jaca") e absorvem a umidade do solo. O adulto é grande e branco com marcações amarelas espalhadas pelas asas. Elas preferem lugares inalterados, como florestas onde patrulham rios e córregos. A larva de Morpho epistrophus argentinus é vermelha e assemelha-se a um dragão. As larvas são geralmente encontradas aglomeradas, possivelmente em um mecanismo de defesa contra predadores. Apesar da aparência intimidadora, elas são inofensivas. Há dúvidas cercando a subespécie mas, aparentemente, no local encontrado, argentinus é a subespécie mais comum então irei com esta possibilidade.
3 subespécies podem ser encontradas no Brasil, assim distribuídas: Morpho epistrophus epistrophus no Rio de Janeiro, parte de São Paulo e Espírito Santo pra cima; Morpho epistrophus catenaria em parte de São Paulo, Minas Gerais e parte do Paraná; Morpho epistrophus argentinus em parte do Paraná, toda Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul.
ENGLISH VERSION HERE:
Morpho epistrophus argentinus are members of the order Lepidoptera, subdivision Bombycina, superfamily Papilionoidea, family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae, tribe Morphini and subtribe Morphina. The larvae feed primarily on the following plants: Scutia buxifolia, Inga uruguensis, Lonchocarpus nitidus and Acacia longifolia. Their feeding is not limited to those plants, though. The adults feed on the sap of trees, fermenting fruits (especially Artocarpus heterophyllus) and absorb the water from the soil. The adult is large and white with yellow marks spread throughout the wings. They prefer unadulterated places, being often found in rainforests near rivers or waterways. The larva of Morpho epistrophus argentinus is red and resembles a dragon. The larvae are usually found in clusters, possibly as a defensive mechanism against predators. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are harmless. There is doubt about the subspecies but, apparently, in the location found, argentinus is the most common subspecies so I'll go with that possibility.
3 subspecies can be found in Brazil, distributed as follows: Morpho epistrophus epistrophus in Rio de Janeiro, part of São Paulo and Espírito Santo and above; Morpho epistrophus catenaria in part of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and part of Paraná; Morpho epistrophus argentinus in part of Paraná, all of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
17 Comments
Thank you very much Neil! <3
Well done, Oscar. An excellent spotting, and great information too. Congratulations.
Obrigado Sergio. Tive que postar novamente pois acidentalmente deletei a antiga.
Parabéns, Oscar. Top mesmo.
Thank you Christine ❤
Congratulations Oscar!
Congratulations Oscar. Super spotting.
Thank you very much to the staff of Project Noah for this nomination. And thank you, Antonio. I'm humbled ❤
Awesome shot Oscar ,great info,congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing
Parabéns Oscar, your Epistrophus White Morpho caterpillars have been voted Spotting of the Week. This rewards your outstanding documentation on this species and caterpillar behavior. We appreciate your efforts, including bilingual notes, and we're glad you are sharing your work with us!
"This impressive cluster of White Morpho (Morpho epistrophus) caterpillars has been voted Spotting of the Week! There are numerous advantages in aggregation for caterpillars. Depending on the species these include facilitation of predator defense (safety in numbers), foraging, thermoregulation and shelter building, and increase in aposematism. Caterpillars of Morpho epistrophus stay quiet during the day, and will scatter at night to feed. Morpho epistrophus is a neotropical butterfly restricted to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina".
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Fantastic!
Beautiful cluster!
Thank you everyone and thank you for the nomination, I'm humbled.
Beautiful caterpillars....
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thank yoi bayucca!
Very nice one!!