Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Impostor Duskywing
Gesta gesta
HERRICH-SCHAFFER, 1863
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
Gesta gesta, Carpish, Peru
Introduction
In the neotropical region there are
about 990 described species of Pyrginae - a subfamily of Skippers
characterised by their habit of basking with wings outspread, as opposed to the
half-open position favoured by the Hesperiidae.
About 580 species are placed
within the tribe Pyrgini, which
includes such well known genera as Urbanus, Astraptes, Bolla, Pyrgus and Mylon.
Gesta are closely allied to the
Holarctic genus Erynnis, which they very much
resemble in behaviour as well as in appearance. There are 5
Gesta species. Four of them
- austerus, gesta,
heteropterus and inga
are neotropical in distribution, while the fifth - invisus, ranges from Texas
south to Costa Rica.
Gesta gesta is distributed from Costa Rica to Argentina.
Habitats
This species breeds in disturbed grassy habitats at altitudes between
sea level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
To
be completed.
Adult behaviour
The
butterflies are usually encountered as small colonies. In sunny
conditions they bask on the ground or on low foliage. In overcast
or rainy weather, and overnight, they go to roost hanging from
dead leaves, with their wings folded back like a Noctuid moth.
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