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.
The genus Telemiades comprises of 16 species, all with the same general wing shape, but otherwise quite variable in appearance. Some such as fides and antiope for example have a cluster of large hyaline windows in the median area of the forewings, in addition to the normal group of 2 or 3 spots found near the apex. Some however e.g. delalande, have no hyaline areas at all. Most members of the genus have a fairly unicolorous earthy brown or fuscous ground colour, and with suffused dark bands or spots. Three species – gallius, entrites and chrysorrhoea, have broad, conspicuous yellow margins to the hindwings.
Telemiades epicalus is found from Panama to Brazil and Peru.
Habitats
This species occurs in tropical forest at altitudes between about 200-1200m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterfly is usually encountered singly when basking on foliage on narrow forest trails.