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Epiphile adrasta

(Common Banner)

Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Common Banner

Description

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Family Nymphalidae

'The Nymphalidae are members of the Superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies. Distributed worldwide, butterflies of this family are especially rich in the tropics. They are highly variable, and there are more species in this family than in any other. Adults vary in size from small to large, and their front legs are reduced, unable to be used for walking. Wing shape is also highly variable: some species have irregular margins (anglewings and commas), and others have long taillike projections (daggerwings). Browns, oranges, yellows, and blacks are frequent colors, while iridescent colors such as purples and blues are rare. Adults of some groups are the longest-lived butterflies, surviving 6-11 months. Adult feeding behavior depends on the species, where some groups primarily seek flower nectar while others only feed on sap flows , rotting fruit, dung, or animal carcasses. Males exhibit perching and patrolling behaviors when seeking mates. Egg-laying varies widely, as some species lay eggs in clustsers, others in columns, and others singly. Caterpillar appearance and behavior vary widely. Brushfoots overwinter as larvae or adults.

'[1]

Subfamily Limenitidinae

The Limenitidinae are members of the Family Nymphalidae. These admirals and relatives are found on most continents. Adults of most genera are characterized by their flap-and-glide flight. Caterpillar and chrysalis structure defines this group.[2]

Physical Description

Species Epiphile adrasta

Both sexes with squared-off forewing tip . Female upperside: forewing is brown with a cream median band and a cream spot at apex, orange wing base and tip; hindwing is orange with brown on upper part of the outer margin . Male upperside has alternating orange and black bands. Undersides of both sexes are mottled brown, resembling bark . (ref. 106007)

Color:

Both sexes with squared-off forewing tip . Female upperside: forewing is brown with a cream median band and a cream spot at apex, orange wing base and tip; hindwing is orange with brown on upper part of the outer margin . Male upperside has alternating orange and black bands. Undersides of both sexes are mottled brown, resembling bark .

Size/Age/Growth

Wing span : 2 1/4 - 2 5/8 inches (5.7 - 6.7 cm).

Habitat

Tropical rain and cloud forests .

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 1,412 meters (0 to 4,633 feet).[3]

Biology

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Diet

Caterpillar hosts: Vines in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). Adult food: Sap , rotting fruit, and dung.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid singly under mature host plant leaves. Caterpillars rest on a platform made of a leaf vein with dung and silk attached to it. Caterpillars strike with their horns when disturbed , and can puncture another caterpillar. Chrysalids when disturbed can move the abdomen to make creaking sounds .

Behavior

Flight: All year in Mexico, October in South Texas.

Taxonomy

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Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Epiphile

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 30 species and subspecies in this genus:

E. adrasta (Common Banner) · E. albifasciata · E. bandusia · E. boliviana (Bolivian Banner) · E. bonplandioides · E. chrysites · E. dilecta · E. dinora · E. egena · E. electra · E. epicaste · E. epimenes · E. eriopis · E. escalantei · E. fassli · E. grandis · E. hermosa · E. hubneri · E. iblis · E. inca · E. kalbreyeri · E. lampethusa (Lampethusa Banner) · E. latifasciata · E. negrina · E. orea · E. orea negrina (Orea Banner) · E. orea plusios · E. plusios · E. plutonia · E. zipa

More Info

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal February 26, 2008:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=18&sci=Nymphalidae&com=Brush-footed Butterflies [back]
  2. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=None&search=Search [back]
  3. Mean = 1,000.750 meters (3,283.301 feet), Standard Deviation = 654.700 based on 8 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 2009-07-03