Leucochimona icare matatha (Hewitson, 1873)

Nielsen, Gregory J. & Kaminski, Lucas A., 2018, Immature stages of the Rubiaceae-feeding metalmark butterflies (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae), and a new function for the tentacle nectary organs, Zootaxa 4524 (1), pp. 1-32 : 20-22

Leucochimona icare matatha (Hewitson, 1873)

Natural history. Adults fly slowly, close to the ground in the understory (as described in Brown 1992). Just as L. lagora , males of this species were never observed openly perching like Mesosemia males. Females were observed during the hottest hours of the day searching for host plants; eggs were deposited singly on the adaxial side of the leaves. The only host plant recorded at the study site was Manettia luteo-rubra (Vell.) Benth. ( Figs. 116–117 ). This species is a liana that climbs over the vegetation but females only selected the leaves near the base of the plant for ovipositing ( Fig. 117 ). The development time from egg to adult lasted approximately 35 days. Larvae underwent four instars and no pupae were found attached to, or near the hosts. First and second instars fed on the adaxial leaf surface cutting channels and leaving little windows of the upper leaf epidermis intact ( Fig. 117 ), later instars fed on the leaf underside, eating all leaf layers. A first instar nymph of a chrysopid (Neuroptera) was recorded predating eggs. In simulated larva-ant experiments in laboratory, last instar larvae did not evert the TNOs when manipulated.

Description of immature stages. Egg ( Fig. 118 ). Embryonic development 8–9 days (n = 10). Height 0.36– 0.40 mm; diameter 0.60 mm (n = 5). Pale yellow-cream when freshly laid. Spherical with a flat bottom and have a pattern of small hexagons cells armed with small spines on the rib intersections. Micropilar area centered on the top.

First instar ( Fig. 119 ). Duration 3 days (n = 10). Head capsule width 0.30–0.32 mm (n = 4). Maximum length 2 mm. Head capsule whitish tan with black stemmata. Body whitish with intestinal content visible. Dorsal setae on prothoracic plate and abdominal segments black, subdorsal and lateral setae whitish.

Second instar. Duration 3–4 days (n = 10). Head capsule width 0.50–0.52 mm (n = 9), maximum length 3.5 mm. Head tan colored. Body whitish green with a subdorsal line of white spots. Dorsal setae dark brown, lateral setae and spiracles white. TNOs whitish.

Third instar ( Fig. 120 ). Duration 4 days (n = 10). Head capsule width 0.80–0.82 mm (n = 10), maximum length 6 mm. Head light green, body greenish with black setae dorsally and white setae laterally. TNOs are light green

Fourth (last) instar ( Figs. 121–122 ). Duration 6 days (n = 10). Head capsule width 1.40–1.60 mm (n = 8), maximum length 14 mm. Head light green, stemmata black; body medium yellowish-green with black setae dorsally and white setae laterally; spiracles white. TNOs are light green.

Pupa ( Figs. 123–124 ). Duration 11–12 days (n = 9). Maximum length 10–11 mm (n = 4), width at A2 3.5 mm. Body color green with white areas on prothorax and metathorax. A2 crested, anterior green, crest brown. Distal margin of wing case dark brown. On A4–A8, lateral area below spiracles black; spiracles white. A9–A10 red brown dorsally. Short setae upright on thoracic segments, pointing posteriorly on abdomen. Longer setae on mesothorax tubercles and A2 crest. Eye capsule setose. Silk girdle passes over A2.

Figures

FIGURES 116–124. Immature stages of Leucochimona icare matatha. 116–117, host plant Manettia luteo-rubra (Rubiaceae), detail of climbing part with flowers (116) and vegetative part (117) near to the ground, showing the typical larval feeding damage (arrows); 118, recently oviposited egg; 119, first instar in dorsal view; 120, third instar in lateral; 121, fourth (last) instar in lateral view; 122, fourth (last) instar in dorsal view; 123, pupa in dorsal view; 124, pupa in lateral view. Photos (121– 124) by LL Mota.