Consul fabius

Consul fabius (Consul fabius)

Phylum arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — nymphalidae

Genus – сonsul

Appearance

The caterpillars are dark green with reddish spots along the back.

The length of the forewings reaches about 30–40 millimeters (1.2–1.6 in). The uppersides of the wings have a bright orange and black pattern, with two yellow bands across the angular forewings. The hindwings are tailed. This butterfly is part of a mimicry ring, as a matter of fact the cryptic undersides of the wings mimic a dead leaf.

Habitat

Consul fabius occurs from Mexico to Bolivia.

Behavior

It demonstrates daily activity. The males spend much of their time in the forest canopy and can most easily be observed from the vantage point of a canopy tower or observation platform. In the mornings they often bask for long periods on foliage, with their wings held half open, at heights between 5-15 m above ground level. Males visit dung and urine from which they sequester minerals that they pass to females in the spermatophore during copulation.

Females descend to the understorey at about noon to oviposit. They can sometimes be seen settled on low foliage with their wings closed. Periodically they circle around, and then flit about among low foliage in light gaps, looking for oviposition sites.

The disturbed butterfly instantly takes off and quickly flies up, sits on a twig and immediately closes its wings, it looks like a dry leaf.

Both sexes have a slow gliding flight, but are capable of flying very rapidly if alarmed.

From the third instar onwards the caterpillars roll up the leaves to hide inside when they are not feeding.

Diet

Both sexes feed at rotting fruit on the forest floor.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. The pale green, rounded eggs are laid singly on the leaves of Piper (Piperaceae). The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the Piper from the Piperaceae family. It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums for 6-8 insects. In the terrarium, you need to place a branch of a forage plant. Forage plants should be replaced every 3-4 days. The temperature is 22-25 oC and the humidity 70-80%. The chrysalis is smooth and green, with a black cremaster. The abdominal segments are compacted and strongly tapered. The pupa stage lasts for 8-15 days. The butterfly lives up to 9 days.

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 or give them a few drops of honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.

 

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