Introduction
There are 120 members of the subfamily Polyommatinae in the neotropical region.
The genus Nabokovia is named in honour of the Russian writer and lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov. It contains 3 species – cuzquenha, ada and faga. The butterflies are easily recognised by the very straight outer margin of the forewings, the long labial palpi, and the pattern of dark spots on the undersides.
Nabokovia cuzquenha is endemic to Peru.
Habitats
Nabokovia cuzquenha is found at altitudes between about 2800-3500m on the dry puna grasslands of southern Peru.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are active in warm sunny weather, darting about in zigzag fashion, and the flight is very difficult to follow with the eye. Males alight on small bushes, perching on the terminal leaves, but tend not to return to the same place if disturbed, so the behaviour appears not to be territorial.
Both sexes nectar at various species of flower, at which times they habitually hold their wings in a half-open position.