Introduction
The Pyrginae, popularly known as Flats or Spreadwings, are a cosmopolitan subfamily distributed across temperate and tropical habitats throughout the world. In the Americas there are 990 species.
About 580 species are placed within the tribe Pyrgini.
The genera Bolla and Staphylus include a combined total of 82 small dark species with an obscure pattern of lighter markings. Most members of both genera have a series of between 1 and 6 small white subapical spots on the forewings, and many are peppered with grey or yellowish scales. It is difficult to distinguish between the genera, let alone to identify the species, but the 30 Bolla species tend to be larger, the shape of their hindwings is less wavy, and their heads and palpi are smaller.
Bolla atahuallpai ( named after Atahualpa, last Emperor of the Inca ) is distributed from Panama to Bolivia and Argentina.
Habitats
This species occurs in a wide range of forest habitats at altitudes between about 200-1400m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually encountered singly, and normally seen basking with wings outspread on low foliage.