Hamadryas amphinome

Red Cracker

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Limenitidinae”
Estimated Lifespan 14 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 1415
First Flown On: 10/21/02
Last Flown On: 09/19/24

Species Range:

  • “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • Dalechampia scandens

Food Source

The primary food source for the adults is rotting fruits but they can also be observed visiting dung in the wild.

Etymology Of Name

In Greek the genus Hamadryas means “Wood Nymph”. The species name, amphinome, is the name of several individuals found in Greek mythology.

Habitat

Adults are primarily found along the edges of tropical forest but they can also be found in surrounding areas and clearings within the forest.

Life history

Males defend a territory waiting for receptive females to pass through. After mating the female lays her eggs on the underside of the host plants. The eggs are laid in a chain-like pattern which could be up to 15 eggs long. Once the caterpillars emerge from their eggs they feed on the host plant as a group.

Flights

There are multiple broods each year which makes it possible to find adults flying year round in the warmest parts of their range.

Fun Facts

All of the butterflies in the genus Hamadryas are known as crackers. They earned this name because they are actually able to create a sound which is audible to humans. It is believed that the crackling sound they create while flying is used for territory defense and as part of a courtship behavior.