Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Ruby-collared
Sapphire
Gunayan rubricollis
SEPP, 1841
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
tribe - PYRRHOPYGINI
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Gunayan rubricollis,
Fazenda Rancho Grande, Rondonia, Brazil
© Andrew Neild |
Introduction
The
subfamily Pyrrhopyginae comprises 163 known species, most of which are found
only in the tropical rainforests and cloudforests of South America, although a few
reach as far north as Mexico, and a
single species
reaches Arizona. They are
characterised by having bodies which are very large in proportion to the wings.
Other characteristics include a massive muscular thorax, compressed abdominal
segments, prominent eyes, and antennae with recurved clubs.
There are 17 genera, including Jemadia,
Elbella, Pyrrhopyge,
Mysarbia, Metardaris and
Gunayan.
The genus
Gunayan comprises 3 species, the others being
rhacia and timaeus. All were included for
many years in Pyrrhopyge but were
reclassified in 2002 by Mielke. The 3 Gunayan
species are similar in appearance to certain Yanguna
species ( note that Mielke constructed the name Gunayan
as an anagram of Yanguna ).
Gunayan rubricollis
is distributed throughout the Amazonian region.
Habitats
This species appears to be restricted to rainforest at altitudes between sea
level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
I have no data relating
to the lifecycle of Gunayan.
Adult behaviour
The individual in the
photograph above was found in shade, at bird droppings near an
almost dry pool just after dawn in September ( late dry season ).
Most other records I know of are also of males, either attending
bird droppings or settling on sweaty clothing.
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