Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Proboscis Skipper
Saliana
salius
CRAMER, 1775
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
HESPERIINAE
Saliana salius
Rio Pindayo, Peru
Introduction
There are 2365 described species of
Hesperiidae in the Neotropical region. The family is divided into 5 subfamilies - Pyrrhopyginae, Pyrginae, Heteropterinae, Megathyminae and Hesperiinae.
The
1040 species of Hesperiinae are commonly known as Grass Skippers, because their larvae feed on
grasses, bamboos and other monocotyledons.
The genus Saliana
is very easily recognised due to the distinctive white basal area and white or
semi-hyaline spots on the underside hindwings. Distinguishing between the
individual species is however very difficult - in many cases it is necessary to
dissect and microscopically examine the genitalia.
There are 20 known species in the genus, and almost certainly several more
awaiting discovery. The butterflies are collectively known as Proboscis Skippers
due to the length of the tongues, which is approximately equal to the wingspan
of the butterfly.
Habitats
This species was photographed in riparian forest at about 400m altitude, on the
Rio Madre de Dios in southern Peru.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
These butterflies are
usually encountered singly in light gaps or along narrow trails through primary
rainforest. They use their extraordinarily long proboscises to nectar at
deep-throated flowers. They also feed at bird droppings, at which time they sit
in front of the dropping, curling their proboscis under their body to reach the
pabulum behind them.
The commonest method
deployed by entomologists to attract
Saliana
species is to place a small piece of wet white tissue paper on top of a leaf -
the butterflies are attracted to this, fooled into believing it is a bird
dropping.
|
