Colobura dirce (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Name:
Dirce Beauty

Synonyms:

Papilio dirce (Linnaeus, 1758)

Natural History:

Colobura dirce occurs in sympatry with C. annulata, and are distributed from Mexico to Ecuador. inhabits all types of environments. The erratic flight is similar to C. annulata  and rest on the trunks of trees always upside down. Is common throughout the year, and can be observed from the ground to canopy. Their caterpillars are also gregarious, dark color with yellow thorns.

Distribution:
Bolivia; Brasil; Colombia; Cuba; Ecuador; Guyana; Guyane française; Jamaica; México; Puerto Rico; Trinidad and Tobago; Venezuela

Occurence Period:

Occurs throughout the year

Feeding Adult:

Adults feed on rotting fruits

Feeding Caterpillars:

Host plants compiled by Beccaloni et al. 2008, included:

Cecropiaceae: Cecropia hololeuca, Cecropia obtusa, Cecropia obtusifolia, Cecropia pachytachia, Cecropia peltata

Leguminosae - Caesalpinioidea: Cassia spp.

Leguminosae - Mimosoidea: Inga spp.

Meliaceae: Cabralea canjerana

Myrtaceae: Eucalyptus spp.

Urticaceae: Urera bacifera

 

Color:
brown, cream, black, white

Habitat:
forest, forest edge, open, urban, anthropogenic

Publications:

Willmott K.R., Constantino L.M., Hall J.P.W. (2001):

A review of Colobura (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with comments on larval adult ecology and description of a sibling species. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 94(2): 185-196 

Beccaloni G.W, Viloria A.L., Hall S.K., Robinson G.S. (2008):

Catalogue of the hostplants of the Neotropical butterflies. Book., London, S.E.A., Ribes, CYTED, Natural History Museum, IVIC: 1-536