Butterflies observation & identification Program

INTRODUCTION

Yacutinga Wildlife Reserve, with a 570-ha area, belongs to the Paranaense Forest or Interior Atlantic Forest phytogeographical province. This plant formation is the most diverse all throughout Argentina.

High temperatures, heavy rainfalls and high humidity characterize this environment, which turn this area into a huge greenhouse.

This Forest is characterized by the presence of different vegetation strata.

The canopy or higher stratum, reaching over 30 m in height, the intermediate stratum, the shrub understory stratum and the herb stratum, all sustained by a thin humus layer. Lianas and vines, as well as epiphytes are abundant in all the strata.

The occurrence of 260 tree species, 380 bird species, 71 mammal species, 36 reptile species, 20 amphibian species and over 520 species of diurnal butterflies is estimated.

This is why we can state that this environment is the most biologically diverse in the country.

An inventory of Rhopaloceros (diurnal butterflies) has been conducted at Yacutinga since September 2002; we have already identified more than 520 species.

The great number of butterfly species and individuals observed throughout the year is unbelievable. We can say that there is no place or spot where the presence of these insects is not evidenced, although they are more abundant in sunny places with wet soil, as well as on flowers and all sites with presence of mineral salts and high humidity.

Butterflies usually alight on visitors' clothes, bags and other belongings.

Few groups like butterflies offer their beauty, elegance and grace to this forest, which surprises us each day providing us with the possibility to observe rare, striking species. Caterpillars and chrysalises are also plentiful; they are found attached to their nutrient plants.

Environments, areas to visit and their species

In the gardens area of the Lodge, either on flowers or on the wet soil, we can see many species of Papilionidae, such as Heraclides thoas, Heraclides astyalus, and species  of Parides, Priamides anchisiades, Protesilaus stenodesmus, and more.

These are usually found together with species of Pieridae, such as those of the genus Phoebis, some Eurema, Pseudopieris nehemia and others, such as Dismorphia.

However, Nymphalidae are the most conspicuous butterflies because of their diverse colors, great abundance and powerful flight.

We can see species of the genera Adelpha, Dynamine, Diaethria, Callicore, Hamadryas, Doxocopa, Marpesia, Catonephele, Hypanartia, Biblis, Memphis, Eresia, Ortilia, Tegosa, Colobura, Prepona, etc.

Another family is equally abundant, though not as beautiful. There is a large number of species of Satyrinae, such as Pedaliodes, Taygetis, Euptychia  and related genera, which are recognized by their dark color.

Undoubtedly, Hesperiidae are the most abundant in number of species, of all sizes and colors. Their habits are very diverse.

In the middle of the forest, like in Guazú path, Heliconiinae like Heliconius erato and Heliconius ethilla stand out.

In more open areas we can see the flight of Dryas iulia, Dione juno, Eueides aliphera and Eueides isabella.

Similar, but more varied, are Ithomiinae such as Tithorea harmonia, Mechanitis lysimnia, Hypothyris euclea, Aeria olena, and the transparent Epytyches eupompe, Methona themisto, Dircenna dero, Callithomia lenea, etc.

There are also very colorful and similar Danainae like Lycorea ilione and L.cleobaea, besides the common Danaus gilippus  and Danaus erippus.

The most attractive butterflies are probably those of the genus Morpho, like M.helenor trojana, the most common in this family.

Bassolinos are more numerous, like those of the genera Opsiphanes, Opoptera, Catoblepia and Narope, but Caligo is the most attractive, as well as Eryphanes, both genera of purple or violet wings and large size; they also stand out for their ocelli in the interior side of their wings, which look like an owl's eyes.

There is a great number of species of the family Lycaenidae, some of which have not been cited for Argentina, of all shapes and colors, being those species of metallic blue color or striped with long tails especially attractive.

Riodininae are similar but of different habits. They usually stand with closed wings on the underside of leaves or on the wet soil. Their colors are astonishing.

There are lots of species, though they may be difficult to find at times, since they find refuge in the underside of leaves, generally with open wings and they fly only when disturbed. This fact, together with their small size, make them seem scarce.

Acraeinae prefer open, sunny areas, in the same place where their gregarious caterpillars grow, on the nutrient plants.

The same applies to the "snout butterfly" (Libytheinae), which can be recognized by its long tube-like  "labial palpi". This species lays its eggs on a plant called "hackberry tree", which is abundant along road sides of the Reserve.

ITINERARY

Since this is an activity of such specific interest, the itinerary is adapted to the particular needs of the interested visitor.