Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Andean Green Hairstreak
Cyanophrys
herodotus
Family -
LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
THECLINAE
Tribe - EUMAEINI
Cyanophrys herodotus,
Satipo, Peru.
Introduction
All neotropical Theclines are placed in the tribe Eumaeini, which comprises of
1,058 currently known species,
classified into 83
genera. The Eumaeini are very poorly represented in museum collections, and
until very recently were ignored by most workers, the exception being Robbins,
whose revision of the tribe was published in the Lamas neotropical checklist,
2004. It is hardly surprising therefore, especially when taking into account the
small size of the butterflies and their secretive habits, that it is estimated
that there are probably several hundred species still awaiting discovery.
There are
16 recognised species of Cyanophrys, found
variously from Mexico to Paraguay. All have metallic green undersides, marked
with a row of white dots on the hindwing. All species possess a filamentous
tail, but this is usually lost on examples that have been flying for more than a
couple of days.
Cyanophrys herodotus is the commonest and most
widespread member of the genus, being found from Mexico to Paraguay and
Argentina.
Habitats
This species is found in open disturbed areas of tropical and subtropical rainforest
and cloudforest, at altitudes from about 600m to at least 2000m.
Lifecycle
To
be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males probably spend most of their time perching on bushes, where
their green colouration would afford them excellent camouflage.
They are most often seen however when imbibing moisture from
rocks, boulders or damp sand. Although this is a sun-loving
species, I have also encountered it on overcast days, at which
times it is surprisingly active.
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