The present work aimed to describe the pattern of spatial variation of N. lar at the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba and to study aspects of the species ecology and behavior. Bimonthly surveys were conducted on 120 Byrsonima sericea plants, one of its main hosts, from February 2003 to May 2004, in four different areas of the park. Four color morphs were found (yellow, pink, orange and white), but not all occurred together in the same area. Almost all adult males observed in field were yellow, except for one orange individual. Females, however, showed all cited color morphs. Tests in laboratory showed that individuals of different colors and/or from different sites mated normally among themselves, indicating that there is no mechanical or behavioral barrier preventing copulation among them. Adults of N. lar occurred throughout the year, showing an abundance peak between October and February, and lower numbers between April and August. Both percentage of plant occupation and density of individuals on plants followed the pattern of the populational fluctuation. In this way, it seems that N. lar presents one reproductive season per year, between October and February, period of rainy season and production of new leaves of the food plants.
Byrsonima sericea; color variation; life cycle; spatial distribution; populational fluctuation
