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.
There are about 130 species in the genus Celaenorrhinus – 50 are found in various parts of eastern Asia, 45 are Afrotropical in distribution, and 24 are found in Central and South America.
Most of the neotropical species have dark earthy brown uppersides marked on the forewings with a broken diagonal hyaline band. One species – aegiochus, has a brilliant metallic blue sheen across its thorax and the base of its forewings. Two species – suthina and syllius have golden-orange bands on the forewings. The thin sub-apical orange band is only found in suthina.
Celaenorrhinus suthina is found only in Colombia and Ecuador.
Habitats
This species is found in cloudforest at elevations between about 800-1800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
My only observation of this species is of a male taking nectar as illustrated. In common with other Celaenorrhinus species this butterfly probably rests under leaves with its wings fully outspread.