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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Blue Duskywing
Anastrus neaeris
MÖSCHLER, 1879
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Anastrus
neaeris, male, Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru
Introduction
The
Pyrginae, known colloquially as Flats or Spreadwings, are found in temperate and
tropical habitats throughout the world. In the neotropical region there are
about 990 described species, of which 581 are placed in the tribe Pyrgini, which
includes such well known genera as Urbanus, Astraptes, Bolla, Pyrgus, Erynnis, Sostrata
and Mylon.
Butterflies in the genus
Anastrus are
commonly known as Duskywings. They average about 5cms in wingspan. They
typically have dark velvety wings with a bluish sheen, convex wing margins, and
short antennae.
Anastrus
neaeris occurs from
Panama to the southern Amazon.
Habitats
This is a lowland rainforest species, found at altitudes between sea level and
about 900m.
Lifecycle
The early stages appear
to be unrecorded. It is likely however that the lifecycle is similar to that of Achlyodes,
as described below :
The
eggs of Achlyodes, Anastrus
and related genera are usually laid singly on the upperside of leaves of the
foodplant.
The
caterpillar is likely to be
smooth-skinned, green or olive-brown in colour, and marked along the back and
sides with a series of thin longitudinal stripes. It is likely to be a nocturnal
feeder, and to spend daylight hours at rest within a tent made of leaves spun
together with silk.
Adult behaviour
Males are usually seen singly,
when imbibing moisture from damp sand, muddy paths, peccary
wallows, dry river beds and similar habitats. They are often found
amongst mixed aggregations of Achlyodes, Antigonus and other Pyrgines.
Both sexes can
also occasionally be seen basking on the foliage of bushes and
shrubs in forest edge habitats, or can be disturbed from their
resting places beneath leaves.
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