Myscelia cyaniris

Blue Wave or Banded Purple Wing

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Biblidinae”
Estimated Lifespan 40 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 18
Total Number of Pupae Received: 3901
First Flown On: 10/21/02
Last Flown On: 03/08/24

Species Range:

  • “NorthAmerica” “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • Dalechampia triphylla

Food Source

Not being big nectar feeders the adults usually feed on rotting fruits. The males can occasionally be found taking minerals from wet sand.

Etymology Of Name

Mys is Greek for muscle, while celia is Greek for burnt (from its color). Cyaniris has origin in Greek meaning dark blue rainbow.

Habitat

Found in rainforest habitats usually in areas associated with the host plants.

Life history

Adult males sit on the tree trunks in light gaps along the forest edges, waiting for passing females. Eggs are deposited on the new leaves of the host vine in the plant canopy.

Flights

In the north of their range the adults have two flights, one in the summer and a second in the fall. In the south there are multiple broods throughout the year.

Fun Facts

Males tend to be more iridescent blue than the females. To evade predators while at rest, the Blue Wave fold their fore wings down into their hind wings, which decreases their body size and increases their camouflage.