Butterflies of the
Amazon and Andes
Venusta Grass Yellow
Pyrisitia venusta
BOISDUVAL, 1836
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily - COLIADINAE
Pyrisitia venusta, Tatama NP, Colombia
� Adfrian Hoskins
Introduction
The 12 species which are currently placed in the genus
Pyrisitia were originally included
within the pan-tropical genus Eurema.
These smallish butterflies are characterised by having yellow,
orange or white uppersides, with dark apical markings. The forewings
have a strongly curved costa, and in most species have a squarish
apex. The hindwings are rounded in most species.
Pyrisitia venusta is found from Costa Rica to Colombia, east
to Guyana and south to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. It also
occurs on Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad.
Habitats
This is a lowland species found in disturbed grassy habitats
including forest clearings, roadsides and riverbanks at elevations
between sea level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males
are usually encountered singly, or occasionally in two's or three's,
when imbibing dissolved minerals from damp ground at the edge of
ditches or roadside banks in lightly forested areas.
Females are often seen
nectaring at flowers along roadsides and riverbanks, or exploring
sunny wood edge habitats in search of egg-laying sites.
The
flight is fluttery but fairly rapid, and close to the ground.
Pyrisitia venusta, male, Catarata Bayoz, Le Merced, Peru
� Peter Bruce-Jones
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