Dirce beauty

Wing span:

Identification: The wings are dark brown on the upperside with a central oblique yellow band on the forewings (visible and whitish on the underside). The outer side of the band is a darker shade of brown than the rest of the forewings and the hindwings. The costa of the hindwings is creamish-yellow and dorsum is creamish to brown. The hindwings also have two small tornal blue markings with black outline. The underside of the wings is creamish-white with dark brown stripes, appearing zebra-like. In addition to the tornal markings, there are three subapical black spots on the hindwings, each with a blue pupil and a shared brown outline. 

Variation: Some specimens have a yellow subapical spot on the upperside of the forewings, while others do not.

Behaviour:

Habitat:

Larval food plantCecropia spp. (Warren et al., 2013)

Adult food:

Reported from: CEIBA Biological Centre, Craig & Friendship (Region 4), Brotherson & Sandaka (Region 6), Fairview, Iwokrama Forest, Kurupukari & Turtle Mt. (Region 8), Burro Burro, Kato, Kwatamang, Simon and Shock International Logging Inc. concession & Surama Eco-Lodge (Region 9), Demerara River