Butterflies of the Andes - Heliopetes alana

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Butterflies of the Amazon and Andes

Alana White Skipper

Heliopetes alana REAKIRT, 1868

Family - HESPERIIDAE

subfamily - PYRGINAE

Tribe - PYRGINI

Heliopetes alana, male, Satipo, Peru

Introduction

The Hesperiidae comprise of 5 sub-families - Hesperiinae, Heteropterinae, Pyrrhopyginae, Pyrginae and Megathyminae. The Pyrginae are found throughout the world in all habitats. In the neotropical region there are 990 known species, but these probably represent only about 80 percent of the true total.

There are 14 recognised species in the genus Heliopetes. All have a white ground colour. They can be most easily distinguished from each other by examination of the underside markings.

This species occurs from Mexico to Argentina.

Habitats

Heliopetes alana is found mainly in disturbed woodland and forest, at altitudes between 0-1500m.

Lifecycle

To be completed.

Adult behaviour

In common with other Heliopetes species the adults normally bask on low foliage, holding their wings half open.

At night and during overcast or rainy weather they usually roost on dead flowerheads with their wings held erect.

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