LIFE HISTORY OF DISMORPHIA AMPHIONA BEROE 
(LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE: DISMORPHIINAE) 
IN PANAMA* 
By Annette Aiello 
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 
P.O. Box 2072, Balboa, Panama 
Dismorphia is a neotropical genus of butterflies related to the 
familiar ‘sulfurs,’ ‘whites,’ and ‘orange-tips’ common in temperate 
regions. They are of unusual interest due to the participation by 
adults, of certain species, in mimicry complexes. Indeed, Bates’ 
(1862) influential paper on mimicry was based upon this group of 
butterflies. Unfortunately, little is known of their immature stages or 
hostplant relations, and only one life history has been described in the 
genus to date (Young, 1972). The present paper reports on the 
immature stages and host plant of a second species. 
The following observations were made on Dismorphia amphiona 
beroe (Lucas) (Figure 1), reared from eggs, during 28 April through 4 
June 1980 on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. 
On 28 April, during late morning, a female D. a. beroe in the BCI 
Laboratory Clearing, flew along the forest border in search of 
oviposition sites. Maintaining a distance of 30-60 cm from the 
ground, she touched down briefly upon the leaves of virtually every 
plant in her path, regardless of whether these were ferns, monocots, 
or dicots. Oviposition took place on one species only: Ingapezzizifera 
(Leguminosae), present as five plants (each about 1 meter tall) among 
the second-growth in the north-west corner of the clearing. Three 
eggs were laid upon the young leaves of this species, one per plant. 
Similarly, Young (1972) reported Inga pittieri as the foodplant of D. 
virgo (=£). zaela oreas. Vide Lamas (1979) page 21) in Costa Rica. 
Eggs 
The shiny eggs were 1.5 mm long, and 0.6 mm wide, were spindle- 
shaped, and had nine longitudinal ribs, and approximately 30 cross¬ 
ribs. Eggs were nearly invisible due to their strong reflection of the 
surrounding greenery. 
Larvae 
Hatching occurred during late morning, on 2 April (male) and 3 
•Manuscript received by the editor March 13, 1981. 
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