Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Black Devil
Viola violella
MABILLE, 1898
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
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Viola violella
Rio Madre de Dios, 400m, Peru |
Introduction
The
tribe Pyrgini
are found
throughout the world in all habitats. In the neotropical region there no less
than 83 genera, and about 540 described species. Many of these are dark and lack
distinctive markings, so identifying many of
them even to genus is often very difficult, particularly as there are no
illustrated reference works covering more than a fraction of the fauna.
The photograph above has been
identified independently by 2 experts as a Viola
species, almost certainly violella, although it
lacks the violet sheen that would be expected in that species. There are several
closely related species, and it is possible that the photo may actually be of
Viola olla.
Habitats
This species was photographed at an altitude of about 400m in primary rainforest
on the Rio Madre de Dios, Peru.
Lifecycle
Pyrgine butterflies typically lay their eggs singly on either
the upperside or underside of leaves. The larvae are usually
dull green or brownish, with thin longitudinal lines along the
back and sides, and with black shiny heads. Most feed on low
growing herbaceous plants, but a small percentage feed on the
leaves of bushes or trees. The pupae are usually dark and
smooth, with the wing cases in a contrasting tone or colour.
They are normally formed within silken tents formed by spinning
together the leaves of the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
The
butterfly was seen basking on low foliage next to a small stream
in primary rainforest.
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