Rhetus periander

Rhetus periander, the Periander metalmark or variable beautymark, is a butterfly of the family Riodinidae. It is found in most of Central and South America, ranging from Mexico to Brazil and Argentina.

Subspecies

These subspecies are recognised:

• R. p. arthuriana (Goiás, Brazil)
• R. p. eleusinus (Brazil: São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and Rio de Janeiro)
• R. p. periander (Suriname)
• R. p. laonome (Colombia)
• R. p. naevianus (Honduras to Costa Rica)

Reproduction

Females of Rhetus periander search for the host plants on which to lay eggs on the hottest hours of the day. Typically, one or two eggs are laid per plant. The lifecycle from egg to full adult is a full 50 days.

References

3. Kaminski, L.A., (2015) Natural history and systematic position of Rhetus belphegor, Introduction