IMMATURE STAGES OF ARCHONIAS BRASSOLIS TEREAS (GODART) (PIERIDAE: PIERINI), WITH NOTES ON INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN MISTLETOE BUTTERFLIES

Author(s)

Mota, Luisa L. ; Silva, Ana K. ; Freitas, Andre V. L. ; Kaminski, Lucas A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS' SOCIETY; v. 70, n. 4, p. 289-294, DEC 2 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The immature stages of the Neotropical mistletoe butterfly Archonias brassolis tereas (Godart) (Pieridae: Pierini) are described and illustrated for the first time from the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil. Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves of the mistletoe Phoradendron sp. (Viscaceae). Larvae are gregarious and underwent five instars. Mature caterpillars present yellow apose-matic color pattern; pupae are yellow with black dorsal projections. Morphology, host plant use and behavior of immature stages are similar to species in the Catasticta group. An additional species of mistletoe butterfly, Brangas sp. (Lycaenidae), with gregarious and aposematic yellow caterpillars was found in sympatry on the same leaves of the host plant. These findings suggest that both inter specific competition and larval mimicry are important traits in the ecology and evolution of mistletoe butterflies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50225-3 - Natural history, phylogeny and conservation of Neotropical Lepidoptera
• Grantee: André Victor Lucci Freitas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/51340-8 - Symbiotic interactions between butterfly larvae and ants: natural history, morphology and patterns in host plants use
• Grantee: Lucas Augusto Kaminski
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral