Abstract
ABSTRACT The oviposition behavior of the rare butterfly Minstrellus grandis (Callaghan, 1999) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) is recorded for the first time. Two females laid eggs on the old leaves of an unidentified Triplaris Loefl. ex L. (Polygonaceae), a myrmecophytic plant typically known as ‘Triplaria’ or ‘novice’ tree, inhabited by aggressive ‘taxi’ ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex Lund. 1831 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These observations suggest that M. grandis caterpillars live associated with one of the most harmful types of Amazon ant-plant symbiosis.
Highlights
RESUMO O comportamento de oviposição da rara borboleta Minstrellus grandis (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) é registrado pela primeira vez
The systematics of Riodinidae has advanced in recent years, and robust phylogenetic hypotheses supported by fossilcalibrated dating are available (Seraphim et al 2018)
The main impediment for the advancement on the knowledge on this family, is the lack of information on natural history of species in this group, especially for rare and/or restricted species (DeVries 1997). This is the case for members of the subtribe Pachythonina (Nymphidiini), which comprises 33 species in five genera (Callaghan and Lamas 2004; Hall 2007, 2018; Dias et al 2015; Gallard 2017; Gallard and Fernandez 2017)
Summary
RESUMO O comportamento de oviposição da rara borboleta Minstrellus grandis (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) é registrado pela primeira vez. Oviposição de Minstrellus grandis (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) em uma perigosa simbiose formiga-planta The first life cycle information for this lineage was revealed, indicating that their caterpillars are myrmecophilous (i.e., live associated with ants), present armored larval morphology and are carnivorous (Medina 2014; Mota et al 2020).
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