Butterflies of Cusco

Pyrrhopyge aziza troja

Uncommon 1050-1200(higher?) m. Usually found puddling; also attracted to bait and spitwads.

Similar species: Marginal pattern DHW is distinctive.

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2015-Nov15

1100 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2021-Nov16

Pyrrhopyge infantilis infantilis

Fairly common(?) 1050-1150 m. Attracted to bait, spitwads, and mud.

Similar species: Much bluer throughout D than similar species.

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2021-Nov22

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2016-Nov19

Pyrrhopyge phidias [bixae-type]

Rare(?) at 1050 m., probably lower. Attracted to bait, spitwads, mud, and flowers. The taxonomy of P. phidias is unresolved.

Similar species: ?

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2015-Nov19

Pyrrhopyge phidias leucoloma

Fairly common 1100-1350 m. Attracted to bait and mud.

Similar species: P. sergius ganus has a narrower white margin VHW, and has the red on the top of the head not extending to back of eyes. Others?

1100 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2021-Nov16

1100 m., Quebrada Honda, Calca
2021-Sep02

Pyrrhopyge sp.

Rare(?) at 600 m. Puddles.

Similar species: This specimen resembles P. cressoni (I have no Cusco records) but lacks red on the 'chest' (ventral side of abdomen).

600 m., Quebrada Bienvenida, Paucartambo
2021-Nov17

Pyrrhopyge sergius ganus

Rare(?) 900-1350 m. Puddles.

Similar species: P. phidias leucoloma has a wider white margin VHW and more extensive red on the top of the head, extending to back of eyes. Others?

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2015-Nov18

1000 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2022-Oct03

Pyrrhopyge arax

Uncommon at 1000-1500 m. Puddles; attracted to spitwads.

Similar species: P. phylleia (I have no Cusco records) has the orange margin VHW narrow at tornus, widening towards apex.

1500 m., Puente Quencomayo, Calca
2022-Sep22

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2016-Nov11

Pyrrhopyge decipiens

Uncommon at 1050(higher?) m. Puddles; attracted to bait.

Similar species: No similar species has the red basal dot VHW.

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2022-Oct01

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2015-Nov25

Pyrrhopyge papius papius

Rare at 1350 m., probably higher. Puddles; attracted to bait and spitwads.

Similar species: P. frona has conspicuous red on palpi; P. melanomerus has much shorter red stripes on thorax. I have no Cusco records of either species.

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2017-Oct17

Pyrrhopyge hadassa hanga

Uncommon 1000-1200 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Lacks red spots VHW shown by P. telassa croceimargo. Orange margin DHW much wider than P. h. pseudohadassa; D blacker than pseudohadassa and P. h. halma.

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2019-Oct11

Pyrrhopyge hadassa pseudohadassa

Fairly common 1100-2150 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Lacks red spots VHW shown by P. telassa croceimargo. Orange margin DHW narrower than other subspecies of P. hadassa (hanga and halma.

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2017-Oct17

1100 m., Quebrada Honda, Calca
2021-Aug26

Pyrrhopyge hadassa halma

Fairly common 850-1550 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Lacks red spots VHW shown by P. telassa croceimargo. Orange margin DHW wider than than P. h. pseudohadassa; D more coppery than hanga.