Immature stages of the Selaginella-feeding Euptychia mollina (Nymphalidae: Syrphidae) from the Brazilian Amazon

It is found in the Brazilian Amazon Forest, where it inhabits lowland and submontane forests. Euptychia mollina is well-known for its unique life cycle, which involves the use of Lyco­psida as larval host plants. However, despite its prevalence in some habitats, very little is known about its ecology, behavior, and natural history. The immature stages of Euptychia mollina have been extensively studied, with a detailed description of the egg, larval, and pupal stages. The eggs are green, round, and poorly marked, with a height and diameter of 0.60 mm. They are laid singly on the under surface of the fronds of its host plant, Selaginella sp. The larvae are solitary in all instars, presenting a color pattern and shape that make them cryptic on their host plant. The pupa is short, smooth, and varies from rusty brown to green. The larval stages of Euptychia mollina undergo a series of transformations, with each instar exhibiting distinct morphological characteristics. The first instar has a head capsule width of 0.40 mm and a body length of 3 mm. The second instar has a head capsule width of 0.58 mm and a body length of 5 mm. The third instar has a head capsule width of 0.80 mm and a body length of 8 mm. The fourth instar has a head capsule width of 1.20 mm and a body length of 13 mm. The fifth (last) instar has a head capsule width of 1.70 mm and a body length of 21 mm. The pupal stage of Euptychia mollina is characterized by a short and smooth body, with a total length of 7.5 mm. The pupa is mostly rusty brown, with short ocular caps and a broad, dark cremaster. The dorsal abdomen has a paired series of short subdorsal light brown protuberances and a conspicuous dorsal shelf on A4. Euptychia mollina is a common species in several habitats where its host plant Selaginella sp. occurs. It is found in the Brazilian Amazon Forest, where it inhabits lowland and submontane forests. The species is well-known for its unique life cycle, which involves the use of Lyco­psida as larval host plants. However, despite its prevalence in some habitats, very little is known about its ecology, behavior, and natural history. The species Euptychia mollina has been the subject of several studies, with a focus on its taxonomy, phylogeny, and conservation. The systematics of the subtribe Euptychiina has been revised from the species to the subtribal level, with significant reorganization in most of the large genera. However, some important points remain under discussion, including the monophyly of the subtribe in relation to its nominal genus Euptychia Hübner, 1818.