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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Purplish
Bent-Skipper
Camptopleura termon
HOPFFER, 1874
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
Camptopleura termon, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The neotropical
Hesperiidae includes about 990 species in the subfamily Pyrginae. The latter are
commonly referred to as Spreadwings or Flats due to their habit of basking with
their wings fully outspread, as opposed to the
half-open position adopted by basking Hesperiinae.
The Spreadwings include a subgroup - the genera
Cycloglypha,
Ebrietas, and Camptopleura,
which are
known as Bent-Skippers because they habitually hold their
forewings in a bent position, with the apex folded downwards. All are smallish
or medium sized butterflies, whose wings are marked with attractive marbled or
wavy patterns, overlaid with a bluish or purplish sheen.
The
genus
Camptopleura
comprises of 6 known species, found variously from Mexico to Bolivia and
Argentina.
Camptopleura
termon is
a widespread but fairly uncommon species found in Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru and the upper Amazonian regions of Brazil.
Habitats
This forest edge species is found along roadsides, riverbanks and sunny tracks
at altitudes between about 200-1000m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males are usually observed as
singletons, when visiting sandbanks to imbibe mineralised moisture.
I have not observed the female.
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