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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
Green-shouldered Scallopwing
Gorgopas trochilus  HOPFFER, 1874
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily - PYRGINAE
tribe - PYRGINI
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Gorgopas trochilus, male, Boca Manu, Rio Madre de Dios, 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, Pyrgus, 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.
 
Habitats
 
This is a lowland rainforest species, found at altitudes from about 100-900m.
 
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 usually 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.

 

If disturbed the butterfly will fly up and settle on the overhanging foliage of nearby trees, where it will remain stationary unless molested.

 

 

 

 

 
 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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