|
Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Pallid Mylon
Mylon pelopidas
FABRICIUS, 1793
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
Mylon
pelopidas,
Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru
Introduction
The
genus Mylon
contains 15 known species, all with the same characteristic wing shape and pale
greyish-white ground colour. Some species are faintly marked, while others are
quite heavily marbled with dark brown.
Mylon
pelopidas is found from
Mexico to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species occurs at elevations from sea level to about 1200m, in semi-open
situations within forested areas. It is usually seen along wide sunlit tracks,
or forest edge habitats.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle appears to be unrecorded. Generally, Pyrgine butterflies lay their
eggs singly on either the upperside or underside of leaves. The larvae are
typically dull green or brownish, with thin longitudinal lines along the back
and sides, and with black shiny heads. They feed typically on herbaceous plants, but a small percentage feed on the leaves of
bushes or trees. The pupae are usually dark and smooth, with the wing cases in a
contrasting tone or colour. They are normally formed within silken tents formed
by spinning together the leaves of the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes bask on bushes or low herbage,
with wings outspread. Males are seen more frequently, usually when
imbibing moisture from around the edges of muddy puddles, or from
damp ditch beds where there is a lot of decaying vegetation.
|
