Pusilla Crescent

Scientific Name
Dagon pusilla
SALVIN, 1869
Specie in
Family
Pusilla Crescent
Dagon pusilla, Pauti, Junin, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

The tribe Melitaeini is of worldwide distribution. It includes the Crescents and Checkerspots, and also many familiar European species such as the Marsh, Glanville, Spotted and Heath Fritillaries.

There are 3 species in the genus Dagon, all of which were formerly placed in the genus Phyciodes. The latter genus was split by Higgins in 1981, with Phyciodes retained for 7 North American species, and Dagon for their close relatives pusilla, catula and morena – species confined to the neotropics.

Dagon pusilla is confined to Peru and Bolivia.

Dagon pusilla, Pauti, Junin, Peru - Adrian Hoskins
Dagon pusilla, Pauti, Junin, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

Habitats

This species is found in primary and secondary forest in the eastern Andes, at altitudes between about 200-1200m.

Lifecycle

Unknown.

Adult behaviour

This species is normally found in low numbers among aggregations of Eresia clio, Castilia angusta, Ortilia gentina, Telenassa berenice, Telenassa teletusa and other mud-puddling Melitaeines.

Dagon pusilla, Satipo, Peru - Adrian Hoskins
Dagon pusilla, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Dagon pusilla
by
SALVIN, 1869
Family
SubFamily
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe
MELITAEINI
SubTribe
PHYCIODINA

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