Introduction
The subfamily Pyrrhopyginae comprises 163 stout-bodied and powerfully flying species, all of which are confined to the neotropics. They are divided into 4 tribes – Zoniini, Pyrrhopygini, Oxynetrini and Passovini. The last named includes 26 spectacular species in the genera Aspitha, Azonax, Myscelus, Granila 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.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males can often be found imbibing mineralised moisture from river sandbanks or from the edges of puddles. They are usually found singly, amidst multi-species aggregations.
