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Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Cosinga Hawker
Metardaris cosinga
HEWITSON, 1874
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
Metardaris cosinga, Manu cloudforest, 2800m, Peru.
Introduction
The
genus
Metardaris
consists of a single species,
cosinga. It is a large and unmistakable species with a wingspan of about
6cms.
It occurs only in the
high Andes of southern Peru and Bolivia.
Metardaris cosinga, Manu cloudforest, 2800m, Peru.
Habitats
This species only occurs at altitudes between about 2500-3000m in the transition
zone between cloudforest and the puna grasslands of the high Andes.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Metardaris cosinga, Manu cloudforest, 2800m, Peru.
Adult behaviour
The heavy body and broad wings of the Cosinga Hawker give it a
very characteristic whirring flight, reminiscent of hummingbirds.
The butterfly is
very localised, but with searching several can usually be found
along a suitable area of roadside. It can be seen
close to mountain streams or waterfalls, where it hawks back and
forth low over the ground, periodically settling to imbibe
mineralised moisture from damp earth or from amongst mosses. I
have also seen small groups of the butterflies nectaring at an
unidentified species of bush. At these times the butterflies are
easy to approach, and even if disturbed usually return within a
few minutes.
Metardaris cosinga, Manu cloudforest, 2800m, Peru.
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