Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Green-shouldered
Scallopwing
Gorgopas trochilus
HOPFFER, 1874
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
tribe - PYRGINI
Gorgopas trochilus,
male, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The
Pyrginae is a cosmopolitan subfamily, it's members being found in temperate and
tropical habitats throughout the world. The 990 neotropical species include 581
which are placed in the tribe Pyrgini, which
includes such well known genera as Urbanus, Astraptes, Bolla, Sostrata
and Mylon.
The
genus Gorgopas
contains 5 species which are superficially very similar to those in the genera Bolla
and Staphylus,
but are distinguished from them by the presence of metallic scales on the thorax
and basal areas of the wings.
Gorgopas
trochilus is found
in the southern Amazon rainforests of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
Gorgopas trochilus,
male, Satipo, Peru
Habitats
This is a lowland rainforest species, found at altitudes from about 100-800m.
Lifecycle
The early stages appear
to be unrecorded. If the lifecycle is similar to that of other Pyrgine Skippers,
the
eggs will be laid singly on the upperside of leaves of the
foodplant.
The
larva, like that of other Pyrgines, is probably
smooth-skinned, green or olive-brown in colour, and marked along the back and
sides with a series of thin longitudinal stripes. It is likely to be a nocturnal
feeder, and to spend daylight hours at rest within a tent made of leaves spun
together with silk.
Adult behaviour
Like other
Gorgopas species, the butterfly
is almost always encountered singly, usually when a male is seen
imbibing mineralised moisture from sandbanks, peccary wallows or
muddy paths. At these times it is often very active, skipping
from spot to spot, always settling with wings outspread. When it
finds a particularly good feeding spot it tends to walk about in
circles, constantly changing it's position. After 3 or 4 minutes
of feeding it becomes mildly intoxicated, and is then quite placid
and easy to approach. If molested it will
will fly up and settle on the foliage of a nearby tree, where it
will remain stationary until it feels it is safe to return.
Gorgopas trochilus,
male, Catarata Bayoz, La Merced, Peru
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