Zaretis itys (Cramer, 1777)

Papilio itys (Cramer, 1777)

The genus Zaretis has 6 species recorded in the Neotropics (Lamas, 2004). This is an exclusively neotropical genus, confined to forest habitat. Inhabit the canopy stratum (Willmott & Hall, 2001), occasionally observed in the understory. Taxonomic notes on genus Zaretis can be found in Willmott & Hall (2001). 

Zaretis itys also mimics a leaf, furthermore when

touched falls to the ground motionless (thanatosis). This species is a solitary insect, since the egg, caterpillar stages until adult. Feeds on fermented fruit and vegetable

secretions Otero & Marigo (1990).

Adults feed on rotten fruit and rotten carrion

Host-plants compiled by Beccaloni et al. (2008) included:

Flacourtiaceae: Casearia arborea, Casearia arguta, Casearia nitida, Casearia sylvestris, Casearia spp., Laetia procera, Laetia sp., Ryania sp., Ryania speciosa, unidentified species in the same family.

Piperaceae: Piper trigonum