Introduction
The Pyrginae is a cosmopolitan subfamily with members found in temperate and tropical habitats throughout the world. The 990 neotropical species include 581 which are placed in the tribe Pyrgini, which includes well known genera as Urbanus, Astraptes, Bolla, Pyrgus, Erynnis and Mylon.
The genus Spathilepia contains a single species, clonius, easily recognised by the angular forewings which have a prominent diagonal hyaline band. The underside hindwings are marbled in brown, grey and black, effectively disguising the butterfly as a decomposing fragment of a dead leaf.
Spathilepia clonius is distributed from Texas to northern Argentina.
Habitats
This species is found in disturbed forest habitats at elevations between sea level and about 800m.
Lifecycle
The larva is yellowish-green, covered in a lattice-like pattern of dark green lines, and with a dark green line running along the back. The head is dark brown with 2 prominent orange spots above the mandibles. The larval foodplants include Desmodium, Pachyrhizus, Rhynchosia and Calopogonium, all of which are herbaceous plants in the family Fabaceae.
Adult behaviour
The adults are normally encountered singly, nectaring at Senecio or Eupatorium, or basking with outspread wings on low herbage.