Immature stages and biology of the Neotropical skipper Artines angelica Medeiros, 2019 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini: Moncina)

Estados inmaduros y biología de la mariposa neotropical Artines angelica Medeiros, 2019 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini: Moncina)

ABSTRACT

In this study, we describe the immature life stages and two natural host plant associations of the neotropical skipper butterfly Artines angelica Medeiros, 2019 (Hesperiidae), in southeastern Peru. This represents the first published information regarding the basic biology of this species, and only the second for the genus Artines, highlighting our general lack of knowledge of this group. Specimens were collected at the Finca Las Piedras research station in Peru’s Madre de Dios department, where immatures were found and reared on two herbaceous bamboo species, Taquara micrantha (Kunth) I.L.C. Oliveira and R.P. Oliveira and Olyra latifolia L. (both Poaceae). The life cycle of the only individual A. artines found and reared from the egg stage spanned 55 days, during which the species went through six larval instars. The life and natural history information we provide may be useful in understanding the species diversity of the skipper subtribe Moncina, which is extremely diverse yet poorly studied to date.

Key words:
Bionomy; life cycle; natural history; terra-firme rainforest; Neotropical region; Poaceae