Introduction
About 120 members of the cosmopolitan subfamily Polyommatinae occur in the neotropical region. Most are confined to the temperate grasslands of the high Andes, although a few species occur at much lower altitudes.
There are Leptotes 12 species, the commonest and most well known being cassius, which is found in California, Mexico, Central America, most of the Caribbean islands, and in Venezuela and Surinam. The other species are marina from Mexico, perkinsae from Jamaica, hedgesi from Cuba, idealus from Hispaniola, andicola from Ecuador and Colombia, delalande from Ecuador, parrhasioides from the Galapagos Islands, trigemmatus from Chile, and 3 Peruvian species – callanga, bathyllos and lamasi.
Leptotes lamasi is named in honour of Gerardo Lamas, one of the leading authorities on neotropical butterflies. It is found only on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes.
Habitats
This species is found in disturbed grassy habitats, at altitudes between about 200-1000m. It is most often seen along roadsides or regenerating grassy clearings in secondary rainforest.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are active only in hot sunshine, at which time small numbers can be found flying in sheltered grassy areas. In overcast or hazy conditions they roost in a head-downward posture, on flowerheads, or on the stems of herbaceous or woody plants.