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 genus Gorgopas contains 5 species, trochilus, chlorocephala, petale, gutta and agylla. All have metallic green scales on the head, palpi and prothorax.
Gorgopas trochilus is found in the southern Amazon rainforests of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
Habitats
This is a lowland rainforest species, found at altitudes from about 100-800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Like other Gorgopas species, the butterfly is almost always encountered singly, usually when a male is seen imbibing mineralised moisture from sandbanks, peccary wallows or muddy paths. At these times it is often very active, skipping from spot to spot, always settling with wings outspread. When it finds a particularly good feeding spot it tends to walk about in circles, constantly changing it’s position. After 3 or 4 minutes of feeding it becomes mildly intoxicated, and is then quite placid and easy to approach. If molested it will will fly up and settle on the foliage of a nearby tree, where it will remain stationary until it feels it is safe to return.