Orophila diotima, Manu cloudforest, 1500m, San Pedro, Madre de Dios, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Introduction
The genus Orophila is closely allied to Perisama, with which it often flies. There are only two species in the genus – cardases and diotima, both of which are confined to the Andes.Orophila diotima occurs in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Orophila diotima, Manu cloudforest, 1900m, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Habitats
This species inhabits cloudforests in the eastern Andes, at altitudes between about 1300-2200m.
Manu cloudforest, 1400m, San Pedro, Madre de Dios, Peru – Adrian Hoskins
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The butterfly is usually encountered as solitary males, aggregating with Perisama and various Satyrines to imbibe dissolved minerals from moisture on damp paths or at the edge of rivulets.
The adults tend to favour areas of dappled sunlight, and in these conditions will often bask with wings outspread on the ground.
In warm sunshine they tend to spend most of their time settled on the foliage of bushes and trees, at heights of between 2-6 metres, making occasional forays to the sunlit ground, but rarely settle for more than a second or two in one spot.