|
Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Green Flasher
Astraptes talus
CRAMER, 1777
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - EUDAMINI
Astraptes talus,
Yarinacocha, Ucayali, Peru
Introduction
The
tribe Eudamini includes 44 genera in the neotropical region, amongst which are
the Long-tailed Skippers
Urbanus,
Chioides
and
Aguna;
and such familiar genera as
Phocides,
Autochton,
Astraptes
and
Calaenorrhinus.
The
genus Astraptes, comprises of 29 large species characterised by having chocolate brown wings
with very short stubby tails on the hindwings. Most species have a diagonal
hyaline stripe across the forewings and a group of 3 small hyaline spots near
the apex. In the majority of species the head, thorax, abdomen and wing bases
are covered with long fur-like gleaming metallic blue ( or in the case of talus,
green ) scales.
Astraptes talus
is a widely distributed species found from Mexico to Peru. It also occurs on
several of the Caribbean islands including Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and
Trinidad.
Habitats
This species occurs in forested habitats at altitudes between sea level and
about 800 metres.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies have a very rapid whirring flight, often circling
widely at a height of about 2 metres. They commonly settle on
living foliage or dead leaf litter to feed at bird droppings, and
at such times become so engrossed that they are oblivious to human
presence. When feeding they exude droplets of water from their
abdomens, dropping or squirting it onto the bird droppings to
dissolve and liquefy them, enabling the juices to be sucked up
using the long proboscis, which is extended under the abdomen.
|
