Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Epimachia Glory
Myscelus
epimachia
HERRICH-SCHÄFFER,
1869
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
Tribe - PASSOVINI
Myscelus epimachia,
Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru.
Introduction
The
subfamily Pyrrhopyginae comprises 163 stout-bodied and powerfully flying
species, all of which are confined to the neotropical region. They are divided
into 4 tribes - the Zoniini, Pyrrhopygini, Oxynetrini and Passovini. The last
named includes 26 spectacular species in the genera
Aspitha,
Azonax,
Granila,
Myscelus
and
Passova.
The
genus Myscelus comprises of 11 beautiful species,
each sharing the same wing shape and basic pattern as
epimachia,
although the shape and configuration of the hyaline windows varies according to
species. Some species including nobilis and
phoronis have an additional circular hyaline window
on the hindwings.
Myscelus
epimachia is found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Habitats
This species appears to be confined to primary rainforest and transitional
cloudforest habitats at elevations between about 200-1200 metres.
Myscelus epimachia,
Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males can sometimes be found imbibing
mineralised moisture from river sandbanks or from the edges of
puddles. They are usually found singly, or among aggregations
of Marpesia and other Nymphalidae.
Myscelus epimachia,
Satipo, Peru.
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