Caligo memnon

Caligo memnon (Caligo memnon)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — nymphalidae

Genus – caligo

Appearance

The newborn caterpillars are white with reddish stripes  then they turn yellowish-green, the older ones are brown  with six long outgrowths on the back. There are 8 horns on the head. The caterpillars are covered with short hairs. They have a short double "tail".

The wingspan is usually from 115 to 130 mm, but can reach 150 mm. The upper side of the wings is bluish-gray. There is one large eyespot on the underside of each hind wings. The hind wings of the males are fringed with hairs.

Habitat

It is found in Central and South America.

Behavior

Caligo memnon is active at dusk. The mating dance of the male is very beautiful.

Diet

The larvae feed on Musa and Heliconia species and can be a pest for banana cultivation. Adults feed on juices of rotting fruit.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 70 x 70 x 90 cm at the temperature of 26-28 °C. Females lay eggs in groups on the leaves of the forage plant. Eggs are white and round. The incubation period is 3-5 days. Caterpillars from the same group hatch at the same time and try to stick together. During the day, they sit on the lower part of the leaf, and at night they feed. The temperature for keeping is 26-28 °C and humidity is 60-70%. It is better not to transplant caterpillars from one plant to another and put them in a terrarium pot with a plant. The caterpillar develops for 35-40 days. The pupae are pale brown similar to a dry leaf. The pupa stage lasts 2-3 weeks. Adult butterflies live up to 2 months.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed the butterflies with an overripe banana, orange, pineapple, mango, or give them a few drops of honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10. You can give them a mixture of overripe banana, yogurt and orange juice.

 

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