Nhambikuara mima (Butler, 1867)

Corahua-Espinoza, Thalia, Nakahara, Shinichi, Kabir, Jamal, Shellman, Brooke, Tejeira, Rafael, Ccahuana, Rodrigo & Gallice, Geoffrey, 2022, Immature stages and new host plant records for four satyrine species feeding on herbaceous bamboos in southeastern Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini), Zootaxa 5125 (1), pp. 37-62 : 43-45

Nhambikuara mima (Butler, 1867)

(2021-FLP-IMM-0486, 0489, 0520, 0521, 0528, 0536, 0537, 0538, 0539, 0542)

Egg ( Fig. 1 : 1a, b). Spherical, semi-transparent, pearl-like and whitish in color, with polygonal markings covering the surface. Black patchy irregular spots appear two days prior to hatching ( Fig.1 : 1b). Diameter: 1.1–1.2 mm (n=2). Duration: Unknown, hatched 2–6 days (n=8) after collection.

First instar ( Fig. 1 : 2a, b; Fig. 5 : a). Head capsule width: 0.92 mm (n=1). Head capsule appearing black with rectangular scolus, with two rather broad seta (scolus length 0.16 mm (n=1)); three chalazae visible in frontal view, M1, M2, M3, with seta on each of M1-3; five setae visible on one side of labrum; six stemmata visible, with stemma 1 and 6 somewhat paler and thus insignificant, stemma 3 largest, closer to stemma 2 than 4. Body integument creamy-white and semi-transparent, influencing dark green (T1 to A5) to light green (A6 to A8) body color due to gut content; pair of white stripes in subdorsal area; tracheal system barely visible; chaetotaxy not fully discernible based on photographs, primary setae weakly bulbed at apex (sensu Murray (2001)), XD1 and XD2 visible on T1; D1, D2, SD1 and L1 apparently present from T1 to A10 (D1 approximately 1.5 times longer than D2 on A8 and A9); short, bifid caudal filaments. Body length: 4.0 mm (n=1). Duration: 7 days (n = 2).

Second instar ( Fig. 1 : 3a, b; Fig. 5 : b). Head capsule width: 1.1 mm (n=1). Head capsule appearing light olive with numerous secondary setae and “antler-like” bifurcating scolus, inner short fork positioned perpendicular to horizontal plane, appearing darker distally, with seta on both tips (scolus length 0.64 mm (n=1)); seven chalazae visible on lateral side, M1, M2, M3, P1, P2, P3, P4, with primary seta on each of M1-3, P1,2; five setae visible on one of labrum; six stemmata visible, arrangement similar to previous instar. Body light green, dorsally with rather broad, white, parallel bands delineating the mid-dorsal region; four dorso-lateral stripes lateral to white bands, first band broadest and extending towards base of caudal filament, fourth narrow and somewhat insignificant; spiracles visible as dark green spots; short, bifid caudal filaments, dorsally pink. Body length: 6.4–8.0 mm (n=2). Duration: 7 days (n = 2).

Third instar ( Fig. 1 : 4a, b). Head capsule width: 1.5 mm (n=1). Head capsule appearing light olive with numerous secondary setae “antler-like” bifurcating scolus, inner short fork positioned perpendicular to horizontal plane, appearing darker distally, with seta on both tips (scolus length 0.4 mm (n=1)); seven chalazae visible on lateral side, M1, M2, M3, P1, P2, P3, P4, with primary seta on each of M1-3; five setae visible on one of labrum; six stemmata visible, arrangement similar to previous instar. Body light green, dorsally with rather broad, white, parallel bands delineating the mid-dorsal region; four dorso-lateral stripes lateral to white bands, first band broadest and extending towards base of caudal filament, fourth narrow and somewhat insignificant; spiracles visible as dark green spots; short, bifid caudal filaments, dorsally pink. Body length: 9.6–12.8 mm (n=4). Duration: 6–7 days (n = 2).

Fourth instar ( Fig. 1 : 5a, b). Head capsule width: 2.0 mm (n=1). Head capsule appearing olive with numerous secondary setae and “antler-like” bifurcating scolus, inner short fork positioned perpendicular to horizontal plane, appearing darker distally, with seta on both tips (scolus length 0.6 mm (n=1)); seven chalazae (M1-3, P1-4) visible on lateral side, developed compared to previous instar, with primary seta on each of these seven chalazae, as well as on two chalazae posterior of scolus; dark band-like marking visible on frontal part and lateral side of head capsule (as illustrated); five setae visible on one of labrum; six stemmata visible, arrangement similar to previous instar. Body pinkish dorsally and olive laterally; general pattern similar to previous instar except for inner margin of broad dorsal white band appearing thicker and thus delineating pink mid-dorsal region with contrast. Body length: 12.3–18.7 mm (n=4). Duration: 7–16 days (n=4).

Fifth (ultimate) instar ( Fig. 1 : 6a, b; Fig 5 : c, d). Head capsule width: 3.1 mm (n=1). Head capsule appearing olive with numerous secondary setae and “antler-like” bifurcating scolus, similar to previous instar except for appearing shorter in proportion to head capsule height (scolus length 0.5 mm (n=1)); seven chalazae (M1-3, P1- 4) visible on lateral side, overall arrangement similar to previous instar; dark band-like marking visible on frontal part and lateral side of head capsule (as illustrated); five setae visible on one of labrum; six stemmata visible, arrangement similar to previous instar; labrum appearing reduced. Body pink, dorsally with dark rose mid-dorsal region delineated with creamy-white narrow band adjacent to pink broad dorsal region; stripes dorso-lateral to lateral bands appearing creamy-white and somewhat insignificant, except for thick creamy-white ventral margin; dark reddish, rounded spots present along posterior margin of dorso-lateral region from A1 to A6, as well as A7 but rather insignificant; spiracles visible as dark brownish spots; short, bifid caudal filaments, dorsally pink. Body length: 22.7–26.7 mm (n=4). Duration: 10–13 days (n=4).

Pupa ( Fig. 1 : 7a, b, c). Body light brown, mottled with dark brown especially prominent on thorax, head appearing rather pale ventrally except for antennae; body overall appearing slender with squared ocular caps; small brown protuberances present in two rows along dorsal area of abdomen (appearing darker on A1); paired shoulderlike protuberances present on the mesothorax; light brown cremaster, short and gradually narrowing towards distal end in posterior view, with rounded pitted sculptures. Body length: 12.0– 12.8 mm (n=2). Duration: 11–13 days (n=3).

Host plant ( Fig 4 : 1a-d; 2a-d). Taquara micrantha (Kunth) I.L.C.Oliveira & R.P.Oliveira ( Poaceae : Bambusoideae : Olyreae ).

This is a species of herbaceous bamboo, usually found grouped with other individuals of the same species in understory light gaps, as well as along the forest edges at FLP. Taquara micrantha is a species characterized by considerable variation ( Oliveira et al. 2020), which appears to be the case at FLP. The larvae were found feeding on two variations of Taquara micrantha , characterized by presence or absence of pubescence on the stem and leaves, during different months of the year.

Two larvae (2021-FLP-IMM-0486 and 2021-FLP-IMM-0489; July 2021) were found on a single T. micrantha plant growing in a gap near the edge of the forest. This plant had prominent pubescence on the stem and on the abaxial surface of the leaves ( Fig. 4 : 1a-d; one variation of Taquara micrantha ). Eight eggs (2021-FLP-IMM-0520, 0521, 0528, 0536, 0537, 0538, 0539, 0542; September 2021) were found on plants near a palm swamp. These plants had lacked pubescence on the stem and scabrous abaxial surface ( Fig. 4 : 2a-d; another variation of Taquara micrantha ).

Based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0489 at the time of larva collection for Nhambikuara mima (July 23, 2021), the plant was 0.4 m tall. The larva was found at a distance of 0.2 m from the ground, on the abaxial surface of the leaf, near the leaf apex, at the margin of the blade ( Table 2).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Life history of Nhambikuara mima: 1a) egg, 1b) black patches present on egg two days prior to hatching; 2a, b) first instar in dorsal and lateral view; 3a, b) second instar in dorsal and lateral view; 4a, b) third instar in dorsal and lateral view; 5a, b) fourth instar in dorsal and lateral view; 6a, b) fifth (ultimate) instar in dorsal and lateral view; 7a, b, c) pupa in dorsal, lateral and ventral view; 8a, b) adult in dorsal and ventral view. Figure 1a based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0542; 1b, 2a, b, 3a, b are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0538; otherwise illustrations based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0489.

FIGURE 4. Host plant, two variations of Taquara micrantha. Taquara micrantha with pubescence on the abaxial surface as a host plant for Nhambikuara mima and Paryphthimoides brixius: 1a) leaves; 1b) close-up view of the node and abaxial part showing pubescence; 1c) inflorescence materials; 1d) host plant in situ. Taquara micrantha lacking pubescence for Splendeuptychia furina: 2a) leaves and inflorescence in situ; 2b) close-up view of nodes; 2c) close-up view of abaxial surface showing lack of pubescence; 2d) host plant in situ.

FIGURE 5. Illustrations of head capsules: a, b, c) first, second, and fifth (ultimate) instar of Nhambikuara mima, in frontal view; d) fifth (ultimate) instar of N. mima, lateral view indicating labeled chalazae; e–h) first, second, fourth and fifth instar of Splendeuptychia furina, in frontal view; i, j) third and fifth (ultimate) instar of Paryphthimoides brixius, in frontal view. Figure a, b are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0538; c, d are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0489; e, f, g are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0554; h are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0316; i, j are based on 2021-FLP-IMM-0395.