Biblis hyperia

Crimson-banded Black or Red Rim

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Limenitidinae”
Estimated Lifespan 22 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 2
Total Number of Pupae Received: 690
First Flown On: 10/18/04
Last Flown On: 03/08/24

Species Range:

  • “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • Noseburn (Tragia volubilis).

Food Source

Adults prefer rotten fruit as their main source of nourishment but they have also been know to take minerals from moist substrate.

Etymology Of Name

Biblis means Egytian papyrus. Hyperia is a Greek word meaning over or above.

Habitat

The adults prefer open areas. They are often found in dry arid fields. The Red Rim is usually noticed while in flight.

Life history

The males fly around their habitat releasing pheromones to attract the attention of the females. Mated females lay their eggs in small clusters on shoots of young host plants. The caterpillars make a perch with their silk and dung pellets as a home base. Over wintering is done in the chrysalid form.

Flights

In the southern US the flights are from July - November but further south in Mexico and Central America the flights are longer March - November.

Fun Facts

The males have dark androconial patches (similar to the spots found on the hind wings of the Monarch) on the underside of their forewings to release their pheromones .