Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Noble / Illustrious Glory
Myscelus
nobilis
CRAMER, 1777
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
Tribe - PASSOVINI
Myscelus nobilis
(
illustris
),
Satipo, 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
nobilis,
although the shape and configuration of the hyaline windows on the forewings varies according to
species.
The circular hyaline window found on the hindwing of
amystis, nobilis and phoronis
is absent in some of the other species including epimachia
and santhilarius.
Myscelus
nobilis, previously known as illustris, is known from Surinam, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Habitats
This species appears to be confined to primary rainforest and transitional
cloudforest habitats at elevations between about 400-1000 metres.
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 sedentary in behaviour, spending long periods
basking on the ground.
|
