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.
The genus Potamanaxas comprises of 15 known species, distributed variously from Nicaragua to Bolivia. Potamanaxas effusa is fairly typical of the genus. All Potamanaxas species have an earthy brown ground colour, with white or yellowish markings. In some species such as flavofasciata these are limited to just a small patch on the forewings. At the other extreme the Ecuadorian taxon bana is extensively marbled with white across both wings.
Potamanaxas effusa is distributed from Panama to Guyana, and along the eastern Andes to Peru.
Habitats
This species inhabits transitional rainforest / cloudforest at altitudes between about 200-1500m.
Lifecycle
Potamanaxas larvae are green with brown heads. They live solitarily within a shelter constructed by silking together leaves of the foodplants, which are Sphyrospermun and other Ericaceae.
Adult behaviour
To be completed.