Hobbies And Interests
Location
Anartia amathea butterflies are native to South America. As the location of these butterflies becomes more widespread, they are commonly seen from Columbia to northern Chile. The butterflies can be seen in the wild in groups of hundreds or more, as they have been spotted in Ecuador and Peru flocking together in great numbers.
Family Relations
The Anartia amathea butterfly is a Coolie butterfly from the Nymphalidae family and the Nymphalinae sub-family. Closely related to Anartia fatima, it is a relative of the Texas buckeye butterfly. The scarlet peacock's Anartia genus is closely allied to Junonia and its Afro-Oriental equivalent, Precis.
Habitats
The scarlet peacock is active in the sunshine. It frequents hot, dry areas, glades, forest clearings, fields and orchards. Found most often on warm, overcast days, this butterfly is easily disturbed. They fly during rain showers and inhabit areas with low foliage, especially in rainy or overcast weather. Scarlet peacocks roost beneath leaves, in grasses, weedy areas or bushes. At night, the butterflies hang upside down on the bottom of leaves and close their wings. It hasn't been determined if butterflies actually "sleep," but sleeping is the term used for butterflies at night.
Adult Behavior
Female scarlet peacocks often take part in a mating-rejection ritual. The butterfly will hold the wings erect while flying in a direct back and forth swaying pattern to indicate a lack of interest toward the male. These butterflies often roost in groups of a dozen or even a hundred or more at a time.