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 melicertes is distributed from Costa Rica to Ecuador.
Habitats
This species inhabits cloudforest at elevations between about 800-1600m.
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
The adults commonly bask on low foliage. Males imbibe mineralised moisture from forest roads.