Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Amazon
Nightfighter
Dyscophellus porcius FELDER
& FELDER, 1862
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - EUDAMINI
Dyscophellus porcius, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The genus
Dyscophellus comprises of 9 large crepuscular skippers, all species being confined to the neotropical
region. The wings of males of generally fulvous or reddish-brown in colour, and
feature small hyaline "windows" and vague dark markings. Females have dark
earthy-brown wings which are broader and more rounded than those of males. They
have several large hyaline windows on the forewings, and a regular pattern of
smaller windows on the hindwings.
In common with many other
members of the Pyrginae, the
leading edge ( costa ) of the forewing of Dyscophellus
males has a fold within which are androconial
scales. These disseminate pheromones which are used to entice females to
copulate.
Dyscophellus porcius
is
found in eastern Peru, and in the upper Amazon basin of Brazil. It probably also
occurs in Ecuador and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in tropical rainforest at altitudes between
about 200-800m.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
In common
with other crepuscular skippers the butterflies
habitually hide under leaves in daylight hours, with their wings
held fully outspread.
As dusk falls they become very active,
whirring about rapidly along forest trails, and at a glance can be
mistaken for hawkmoths. Males will visit dung, urine-tainted
soil, peccary wallows and other unsavoury sources of mineralised
moisture, together with Macroglossinae hawkmoths and
other crepuscular skippers including
Salatis,
Porphyrogenes,
Bungalotis and
Nascus. Although the butterflies are probably
oblivious of each other's presence, there is a general impression
of a free-for-all mêlée - an illusion of aggression in their
behaviour - hence the popular name "night fighter" skippers.
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