Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Sunburst Glory
Myscelus
phoronis
HEWITSON,
1867
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRRHOPYGINAE
Tribe - PASSOVINI
Myscelus phoronis, Manu cloudforest,
1500m, 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
phoronis. The shape and configuration of the
hyaline windows on the forewings varies according to species. The circular
hyaline window found on the hindwing of phoronis is
absent in certain species including epimachia and
santhilarius.
Myscelus
phoronis occurs from
Colombia to Peru.
Myscelus phoronis, Manu cloudforest,
1500m, Peru.
Habitats
This species appears to be confined to primary rainforest and transitional
cloudforest habitats at elevations between about 400-1800 metres in the eastern
Andes.
Myscelus phoronis,
Satipo, Peru.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Myscelus phoronis,
Satipo, Peru.
Adult behaviour
This stunning butterfly is
usually encountered when solitary males are seen basking on low
foliage, nectaring at Eupatorium, or imbibing moisture at roadsides or along rocky
riverbanks.
When basking and feeding the wings are normally held
outspread, but in hot sunny conditions males sometimes walk about
slowly on the ground with the wings erect over the back.
Myscelus phoronis, Manu cloudforest,
1500m, Peru.
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