Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Red-collared Firetip
Aspitha aegenoria
HEWITSON, 1876
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
tribe - PASSOVINI
Aspitha aegenoria cruor, male,
Rio Shima, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The
subfamily Pyrrhopyginae includes 163 known species, all restricted
to the neotropical region.
The butterflies
are characterised by having a massive and muscular thorax, a large head, and a
conical abdomen with compressed segments.
The
tribe Passovini includes 26 species, placed within the genera
Aspitha, Azonax,
Granila, Myscelus and
Passova.
The genus Aspitha comprises 4
species - aegenoria, aspitha,
bassieri
and leander.
The butterflies are
strongly reminiscent of Pyrrhopyge, having triangular
black wings with white fringes, and red markings on the head and the abdominal
tip. Unlike
Pyrrhopyge, both Aspitha
and Passova also have red stubby "tails" on the
hindwings. Passova have red faces, whereas
Aspitha have black faces with a red collar.
Aspitha aegenoria is found from Colombia to Surinam, and south along the
eastern slopes of the Andes to Peru and Bolivia. It has 3 described subspecies.
Habitats
This species is found in well forested areas at
altitudes between about 200-800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males are usually seen when discovered on the ground
imbibing mineralised water from damp soil or urine-tainted sand,
often in company with Phocides,
Jemadia,
Elbella, Passova,
Pyrrhopyge and other large dark
Hesperiids.
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