Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
DRURY, 1773
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
HESPERIINAE
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Hylephila
phyleus, male, San Mateo, Peru
Introduction
The
genus
Hylephila
contains 21 known species, all confined to the neotropical region, with the
exception of H.
phyleus
which has a range extending from Canada to northern Argentina.
Butterflies in this genus are characterised by having golden brown uppersides,
with jagged dark borders, and dark streaks in the discal area of the forewings.
In all species the males
are noticeably brighter than the females. The underside wings of both sexes are
yellowish or straw-coloured, with contrasting brown or blackish spots which vary
in size and shape from one species to another. In all species the antennae are
short and yellowish.
Hylephila
phyleus is one of
several species which occur in the dry puna grasslands of southern Peru. It
often flies in company with
fasciolata and
peruana. Other species found in the area include pallisteri, isonira, lamasi, pseudoherrerai, rossi, shapiroi
and tentativa
- the latter six species all having been discovered between 1999 and 2002.
Hylephila
phyleus, male, Shismay, Peru
Habitats
Hylephila phyleus
is a cosmopolitan species found in grassy habitats of all kinds, at altitudes
between sea level and at least 3000 metres. It probably breeds over a wider
altitudinal range than any other species of butterfly in the world, with the
possible exception of Vanessa cardui.
Lifecycle
The eggs are pale greenish-white, and laid singly on the
underside of leaves of the foodplants.
The
larval foodplants are grasses including Canna,
Panicum, Cenchrus,
Eriochloa, Digitaria,
Axonopus, Saccharum,
Paspalum, Poa,
Eragrostis, Agrostis,
Stenotrphum and Cynodon.
The
caterpillar when fully grown varies in colour from yellowish brown to drab
green, and is marked with dark longitudinal stripes along the back and sides. It
lives within a nest made by binding grass blades together with strands of silk.
The
chrysalis varies in colour from pale green to yellowish brown, and is mottled on
the back with dark brown. It has a dark longitudinal line along each side, and
another along the back.
Adult behaviour
The adults are usually
encountered in colonies of at least a dozen, and often share their
breeding habitats with other Hylephila species.
Both sexes bask on rocks or among
grasses, with the wings held in the characteristic
Hesperiine position - hindwings outspread, and forewings held up
at 45 degrees. In hot conditions at midday they close their wings
to regulate their body temperatures.
Both sexes visit a variety of
flower species for nectar, including
Senecio.
Hylephila
phyleus, female, Shismay, Peru
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