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, of which about 580 are assigned to the tribe Pyrgini.
Butterflies in the genus Anisochoria are noted for their exceptionally long palpi. There are 10 known species, of which 8 occur in the eastern Andes, with 2 species reaching into the southern USA. All are marked with hyaline dashes and dots on the outer half of the forewings. Freshly emerged adults are black, but this soon fades to a dark earthy brown colour.
Anisochoria pedaliodina is quite variable in appearance. The hyaline markings on the forewings are extensive and prominent in the Central American subspecies polysticta, while in some specimens of the Argentinean subspecies extincta they are virtually absent.
This species is distributed from Costa Rica to Argentina. The illustrated subspecies pedaliodina is found in the eastern Andes, from Colombia to Bolivia, and in south-west Brazil.
Habitats
This is a mid-altitude species, found between about 400-2000m above sea level.
Lifecycle
The larvae of Anisochoria species are typically translucent orangey-green in colour, with a narrow neck and a dark reddish head. They feed mainly on Triumfetta and Helicteres.
The chrysalis is pale orange, with dark reddish eye-capsules, and is covered in a white waxy powder. It is formed among leaves of the foodplants.
Adult behaviour
Males are usually seen in two’s and three’s, basking on low foliage in the vicinity of streams or small rivers. In hot conditions they usually hold the wings erect or half open.
