Dryas iulia (Fabricius, 1775)

Common Name:
Julia

Synonyms:

Papilio iulia (Fabricius, 1775)

Natural History:

In the Neotropic region are recorded 13 subspecies of Dryas iulia (Lamas, 2004). Can be observed in all Amazon region varied habitats such as river beaches sucking salts in moist sand or in flowers in sunny gardens. Also can be seen as alone individual or in graceful groups while foraging. Adults are greatly appreciated by the color of the wings and gentle flight, but the caterpillars show aggressive behavior and frequent cannibalism (Otero & Marigo, 1990). Experimental development on host-plant Passiflora auriculata showed the cycle of life is about 40 dias (Young, 1978).

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Distribution:
Bolivia; Brasil; Cayman Islands; Cuba; Dominica; Honduras; Puerto Rico; Quisqueya; Suriname

Occurence Period:

Occurs throughout the year

Feeding Adult:

Adults feed on salts in moist sand and nectar (e.g. Lantana, Verbenaceae)

Feeding Caterpillars:

Host-plant recorded in Brazil as compiled by Beccaloni et al. (2008).

Passifloraceae: Passiflora auriculata, Passiflora caerulea, Passiflora capsularis, Passiflora “cerradense”, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora grandulosa, Passiflora glaucenscens?, Passiflora ichthyura, Passiflora miersii, Passiflora morifolia, Passiflora organensis, Passiflora pohlii, Passiflora quadrangulares, Passiflora rhamnifolia, Passiflora sericuriclata?, Passiflora sidaefolia, Passiflora suberosa, Passiflora trifasciata, Passiflora truncata, Passiflora vespertilio.

 

Color:
orange, black

Habitat:
forest edge, open, river bank, urban

Publications:

Lamas G. (2004):

Atlas of neotropical Lepidoptera - Checklist: Part 4A Hesperioidea - Papilionoidea. Book.: 1-439

Otero L.S., Marigo L.C. (1990):

Borboletas beleza e comportamento de espécies brasileiras. Book., Marigo Comunicacao Visual: 1-127

Young A.M. (1978):

Spatial properties of niche sepration among Eueides and Dryas butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) in Costa Rica. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. LXXXVI (1): 2-19