Zaretis itys 

Nymphalidae (Charaxinae)

Host plant: Casearia arboreum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collection Site: Costa Rica, Saripiqui province.
La Selva Biological Station,10 ° 25' N, 84 ° 05'W.

Additional photos: Early instar, shelter

Determined by: Dyer/Gentry

LIFE HISTORY DATA

Rearing results and development times

As of July 2001 N=76: 59 adults, 10 parasitized, 7 died. 
Time as pupa (in lab): 9-14 days

Host plants

 Flacourtiaceae: Casearia, arboreum, Casearia corymbosum, Laetia procera,

Parasitoids

 Braconidae (N=7): 5 of these attacked early instar larvae (I1 orI2) and would emerge and spin a seed-like pupa on the frass chains made by the young caterpillars. The other braconids emerged in groups from later instar caterpillars (I3-I4) and would pupate in a group on either side of the host's body.

Tachinidae (N=2): One of these, Houghia sp., emerged from the host pupa and pupated away from the host.

Predators

 

Obervations and comments

Sometime after third instar, may larvae will make a rolled leaf shelter away from where they are feeding. Larvae have a colored ventral thoracic region, the area being either red or orange.

Voucher location

University of Nevada Reno (UNR)