|
Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Manu Spreadwing
Antigonus decens
BUTLER, 1874
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Antigonus decens, male, Rio Madre
de Dios, Peru
Introduction
Members
of the subfamily Pyrginae are commonly known as Flats or Spreadwings due to
their habit of basking with the wings fully outspread. The Pyrginae have
representatives worldwide and in all habitats including mountain peaks, flowery
grasslands, rainforests and deserts.
In the neotropics there
are
991 described species.
The tribe Pyrgini includes 581 neotropical species, in genera that include
Pyrgus,
Bolla,
Erynnis,
Mylon,
Achlyodes,
Quadrus,
Paches,
Atarnes,
Heliopetes
and
Antigonus.
The
genus Antigonus
comprises 9 small to medium sized species, characterised by having a pointed fw
apex, slight concavities in the outer margins of fore and hindwings, and a habit
( shared with several other Pyrgine genera ) of holding the forewings such that the apical area is folded downwards at an
angle of about 30 degrees.
Antigonus
decens occurs
throughout the lowland rainforests of Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.
Habitats
This species appears to be confined to lowland rainforests at altitudes from
sea level to about 500m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle appears to be unrecorded. Generally, Pyrgine
butterflies lay their eggs singly on either the upperside or underside of
leaves. The larvae are typically dull green or brownish, with thin longitudinal
lines along the back and sides, and with black shiny heads. They feed typically
on low growing plants, but a small percentage feed on the leaves of
bushes or trees. The pupae are usually dark and smooth, with the wing cases in a
contrasting tone or colour. They are normally formed within silken tents formed
by spinning together the leaves of the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
My only observations of this
attractive little skipper have been of male singletons visiting sandbanks. In such
situations they imbibe dissolved minerals from algae-covered rocks
or damp sand,
particularly in areas soaked in urine.
When not feeding they sit on the leaves of sedges or other low
herbage, with wing tips downfolded in the manner typical of the
genus.
|
