Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Golden-headed
Sootywing
Bolla cupreiceps
MABILLE, 1891
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
Bolla cupreiceps, male, Catarata
Bayoz, La Merced, Peru
Introduction
The
tribe Pyrgini
are found
throughout the world in all habitats. In the neotropical region there no less
than 83 genera, and about 540 described species.
The genera Bolla and
Staphylus include a combined total of 82 small dark species with an obscure pattern of lighter markings.
Most members of both genera have a
series of between 1 and 6 small white subapical spots on the forewings, and many are peppered
with grey or yellowish scales. It is very difficult to distinguish between the
genera, let alone to identify the species, but Bolla
tend to be slightly larger, the shape of their hindwings is less wavy, and their
heads and palpi are smaller.
In some species including
Bolla cupreiceps, Staphylus vulgata and
S. ceos the head and palpi are covered in metallic
golden or yellow scales.
Bolla cupreiceps
is velvety black, peppered with cream, and has a concave trio of white spots
near the apex of the forewings. There is a pale, suffused band towards the outer
edge of fore and hind wings. The head, palpi and thoracic "collar" are bright
golden yellow.
The butterfly is found commonly throughout tropical and
subtropical regions of Central and South America from Mexico to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in disturbed rainforest and cloudforest habitats,
including clearings, riverbanks and roadsides, at altitudes between about
200-1800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies are usually encountered in one's and two's, either
when basking on low foliage, or when imbibing mineralised moisture
from river beaches or the edges of puddles or streams.
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