Life histories of Neotropical butterflies from Trinidad 5. <i>Dynastor darius darius</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Brassolinae).

Abstract

The life history of Dynastor darius darius (Stichel) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Brassolinae) is described from material reared on Aechmea nudicaulis Linnaeus and other large bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae. The large egg is 2.0mm in diameter, finely ribbed vertically, greenish when first laid, turning pinkish on the second day. There are five larval instars. The mature larva is dark green with alternating lighter-green markings running lengthwise, and three beige-colored dorsal patches. The body is covered with short fine hairs. The bifid tails are short. There are four knobbed horns on each side of the head. The pupa is shaped like a snake head and is beige, chocolate brown, and misty gray in basic ground colors. The snake-head appearance is enhanced by the pupational orientation of the pupa, with ventral side uppermost and exposed to view as it hangs from the leaf. The complete life cycle of this rare brassolinae takes 62 days at ambient temperatures in Trinidad (9 days in the egg stage, 40 days in five larval instars, and 13 days as a pupa).