Butterflies of the
Amazon and Andes
Family - LYCAENIDAE
subfamily - THECLINAE
Tribe - EUMAEINI
Rio Claro, Colombia ©
Almost all neotropical Theclinae species are placed in the Eumaeini.
The tribe is not particularly well represented in collections, so
until fairly recently a high percentage remained unstudied, and were
inappropriately filed away in the 'convenience' genus
Thecla. Many taxonomists have attempted
to rationalise the systematics of the Eumaeini, the most recent
being Robbins who published a revision in 2004, reclassifying the
taxa into 83 genera. Currently there are 1058 known species. Taking
into account their small size, secretive behaviour, and the great
similarities between many species, it is estimated that about
another 200 species probably remain to be discovered.
The genus Theclopsis comprises of 10
known species, variously distributed from Mexico to Peru.
Theclopsis demea is distributed from
Nicaragua to Ecuador.
This species is found in primary rainforest habitats at altitudes
between about 100-700m.
adults spend much of their lives in the canopy, but in mid-morning
they descend and settle on low herbage, where courtship and copulation
take place. The pre-nuptial behaviour is facinating to watch, with
male and female facing each other, indulging in bowing rituals and