Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Marbled Bent-Skipper
Helias phalaenoides
FABRICIUS, 1807
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
Helias phalaenoides, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
In the neotropical region there are
about 990 described species of Pyrginae - a subfamily of Skippers
characterised by their habit of basking with wings outspread, as opposed to the
half-open position favoured by the Hesperiinae.
The three genera
Cycloglypha,
Camptopleura
and Helias are collectively known as
"bent-skippers" on account of the way the butterflies rest and bask with the
forewings bent so that the apex is folded down. Another characteristic they all
have in common is the metallic sheen on the wings.
The
genus
Helias
comprises of 3 known species, all very similar in appearance, and confined to the neotropical region. They are
small butterflies averaging about 4 cms in wingspan.
Helias
phalaenoides is
a common species distributed from Panama to Peru and across the southern
Amazonia region of Brazil.
Helias phalaenoides, Satipo, Peru
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 Helias lay their eggs singly. I have no data regarding the early stages, but the larvae of Pyrgines are
generally dull green or brownish, with thin longitudinal
lines along the back and sides, and with black shiny heads. They feed typically
on low growing herbaceous plants, but a small percentage feed on the leaves of
trees or
bushes. The pupae are usually dark and smooth, with the wing cases in a
contrasting tone or colour. They are formed within silken tents constructed
by spinning together the leaves of the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
Males of
phalaenoides occasionally visit sandbanks and
roadsides to imbibe mineralised moisture, and are also attracted
to the ashes of camp-fire sites. They are commonly observed
"perching" or basking on the foliage of bushes or herbaceous
plants, with wings outspread, and with the apex of each forewing
folded down. They have
a rapid flight, zig-zagging and flying about in tight circles, and
often go on short sorties before returning to their original
perching places, suggesting that they may be territorial, and
using the perches as lookouts from which they survey passing
females.
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