Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cramer's
Nightfighter
Nascus phocus CRAMER,
1777
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - EUDAMINI
Nascus phocus, Satipo, Peru
Introduction
The genus
Nascus comprises of 5 large crepuscular skippers -
phocus, broteas,
phintias, prax and
solon, all of which are confined to the neotropical
region. All have dark reddish eyes and brownish-olive wings, with a series of
irregularly shaped transparent "windows" on the forewings. In females of all
species these windows form a broad band running diagonally across the forewings,
whereas in males they are clustered in a triangular configuration.
In common with many other
members of the Pyrginae, the
leading edge ( costa ) of the forewings of Nascus
males has a prominent fold within which are concealed hundreds of androconial
scales. These disseminate pheromones which are used to entice females to
copulate.
Nascus
phocus
is
distributed from Mexico to Paraguay and Argentina.
Habitats
This species is found in tropical and subtropical forest at altitudes between
about 200-1200m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Nascus phocus, Satipo, Peru
Adult behaviour
In daylight
hours Nascus adults habitually hide under leaves, with their wings
held fully outspread. Although
theoretically at rest, they remain
extremely alert at all times, and if disturbed by a human intruder
they suddenly dart out, circling and zig-zagging about at
incredible speed. Then, after no more than 3 or 4 seconds have
elapsed they dive back
under another nearby leaf, flip upside down, and turn to face
outwards, staring in the direction of the intruder.
As darkness falls they leave their
hideaways and suddenly become extraordinarily active, rocketing
back and forth along forest trails, usually just above ground
level. The flight is so rapid and erratic that it is impossible to
follow with the eye. Periodically a male will home in on a
patch of urine-tainted soil or peccary dung, pushing aside
competing species including Porphyrogenes,
Bungalotis,
Salatis etc, to gain access to the unsavoury meal.
Nascus phocus, Satipo, Peru
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