Zaretis itys (Cramer, 1777)
Itys Leafwing
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).
Brasil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Suriname
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
brown, cream, orange
forest
Male, from dorsal
Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas
Male, from ventral
Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas
Female, from dorsal
Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas
Female, from ventral
Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas