Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Staring Eye
Spreadwing
Myrinia mysis
MABILLE, 1898
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily - PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
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Myrinia
mysis, Rio Madre de Dios,
Peru |
Introduction
The
Pyrginae, known colloquially as Flats or Spreadwings, are found in temperate and
tropical habitats throughout the world. In the neotropical region there are
about 990 described species, but it is likely that at least another 50 remain to
be discovered.
The tribe Pyrgini includes 581 neotropical species, in genera that include
Pyrgus,
Bolla,
Erynnis,
Achlyodes,
Quadrus,
Mylon,
Paches,
Atarnes,
Cyclosemia
and
Myrinia.
Cyclosemia and Myrinia
are closely related genera, and it is often difficult to know to which of these
genera a particular species belongs without examination of the venation and
genitalia. Determining the exact species is even more difficult, so the
identification of the illustrated butterfly should be regarded as tentative.
Myrinia
mysis occurs in the
southern Amazon of Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Habitats
This species is found in rainforests at altitudes between about 100-600m.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle appears to be unrecorded.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies are very active, zig-zagging and dodging about rapidly
just above the surface of the ground. They rarely settle for more
than a second or two, and spread their wings immediately upon
landing. They are quite
difficult to spot when settled on the dark sand, but once seen the
ocelli on the forewings seem to stare at the observer, and
presumably function to deter avian predators.
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