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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Violaceus
Bent-Skipper
Cycloglypha thrasibulus
FABRICIUS, 1793
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Cycloglypha thrasibulus, Rio Madre
de Dios, Peru
Introduction
In the neotropical region there are
990 described species of Pyrginae - a subfamily
characterised by their habit of basking with wings fully outspread, as opposed to the
half-open position favoured by the Hesperiinae.
The
genus
Cycloglypha
comprises of 6 known species, all confined to the neotropics. They are
small butterflies averaging about 4 cms in wingspan.
The
genus name
Cycloglypha
translates as "circular symbols" and refers to the pattern of purplish-blue oval
markings on the wings. At first glance the butterflies appear similar to
Camptopleura
but the latter are devoid of oval markings, being marked instead with a pattern
of fine wavy lines. The genera
Cycloglypha,
Camptopleura,
Ebrietas, Helias and
Gorgythion share the habit of folding down the apex of the
forewings when basking, and are thus collectively known as "bent skippers".
Cycloglypha
thrasibulus is
a common species distributed from Mexico to Peru and across
Amazonia.
Habitats
This is a forest edge species, found along roadsides, riverbanks and wide forest
trails at altitudes between sea level and about 1000 metres.
Lifecycle
In common with other Pyrgine
butterflies
Cycloglypha lay their eggs singly on either the upperside or underside of
leaves. I have no data regarding the larvae or pupae.
Adult behaviour
Males visit sandbanks and
roadsides to imbibe mineralised moisture, and often form
mud-puddling aggregations with
Camptopleura,
Chiomara,
Ebrietas
and
Antigonus
species. They have a rapid flight, zig-zagging and flying
about in tight circles just above the surface of the ground.
Females are seen
less often but can occasionally be seen flying around bushes at
forest edge habitats.
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