#blushing phantom

🪲

TODAY'S FACT IS

Did you know that the Blushing Phantom Butterfly (Cithaerias pireta) are reculsive butterflies native to the Central and South American rainforests? No one is sure 100% what the larvae eat or use to sustain themselves, but the adult butterfly spends a lot of time near palm plant species, leading researchers to believe the larvae grow and feed there as well.

The adult is typically solitary and spends much of its time in the undergrowth of the rainforests.

These butterflies have mostly translucent wings, with a small patch of red toward the back of the hind wings.

🪲

Thank you for subscribing to DAILY BUG FACTS

Cithaerias pireta, or the blushing phantom, is an elusive neotropical butterfly which spends their life skulking deep in the undergrowth.

@hispaatra, @zick-the-fairy, @the-ellia-west, @thegalacticidiot, this butterfly is so freaking cool and it looks gorgeous ! ! !

Description and Life Cycle

The blushing phantom is a species of butterfly whose wings lack scales, revealing the wing's transparent membrane, which makes it appear see-through. These clear wings are round, and small ocelli, also known as eye-spots, are at the apex of the hindwings.

Unfortunately, nothing is known of the lifecycle or food plants of Cithaerias species. However, it is possible to make some educated guesses. The larvae of almost all Satyrine butterflies feed on monocotyledons, which include grasses, palms, bamboos, sedges, rushes, orchids and lilies. So we might assume that is also the case for blushing phantoms.

Adult butterflies, in contrast, tend to be associated more strongly with palm trees than with bamboos or other monocotyledons, which may indicate that these are the larval food plants.

The larvae are likely to be similar to those of other Satyrines, namely slim, cylindrical, dull greenish or brownish in colour, with thin longitudinal stripes along the back and sides, devoid of setae or tubercles, and possessing caudal prongs and a pair of knob-like projections on the head.

Evening Brown Butterfly Caterpillar, or Melanitis leda, a member of the subfamily Satyrinae.

Behaviour

The adults are almost always encountered singly. They are residents of the darkest and dampest recesses of the rainforest, and appear to be very localised. The butterflies are crepuscular in nature, meaning they can sometimes be found during the day, but are far more often encountered at dusk than at any other time.

The flight is low over the ground, skulking and phantom-like. The wing beats are deep and slow, but the butterfly is capable of swiftly moving if disturbed. Upon settling, it usually turns quickly around, and tilts slightly forward so that the ocellus on the underside hindwing is raised. This ocellus, together with the bright pink area and the oval shape of the hindwings, may function to simulate the head of a small snake, deterring any bird, reptile or amphibian that detects where it has settled.

The butterflies tend to remain deep in the undergrowth but emerge at dusk to feed on rotting palm fruits on the forest floor or fluids exuding from decomposing fungi. They remain stationary for long periods, but easily rise, and if disturbed, retreat into the undergrowth. However, they are habitual in behaviour, and often return within a few minutes of leaving.

Distribution and Habitat

Cithaerias pireta is found from Mexico south to South America, throughout the Amazon and the Andes. It appears to occur at altitudes between sea level and about 2000 metres. However, there is much confusion regarding the altitudinal and geographical ranges of the various species and subspecies in this genus.

Regardless of that confusion, it is known that the blushing phantom is found only in deeply shaded areas of the rainforest.

FIRST FOUR DAYS OF ART FIGHT!! I'M GOING INSANE /pos

First piece is Team Speed belonging to @galixye

The second is Therin belonging to Mossgroverr on IG

The third is Red Kite with my baby Blushing Phantom for @bogcreacher (they also designed Phantom, so this is like a thank you gift)

The fourth is a revenge attack on my irl friend Hyperfizzzation on TH for his girl Bubble Pop Electric hanging out with my gal, Lavender Blues :)

Madagascan Sunset Moth

Blushing Phantom Butterflies

Rusted clearwing-satyr aka blushing phantom butterfly, Cithaerias pireta, found in Central America and northern South America

Cithaerias aurorina - The blushing Phantom