Pusilla purplewing

Wing span:

Identification: The wings are dark brown on the upperside with an iridescent purple tint on the forewings (excepting the margins and submargins) and from mid to base of the hindwings (excepting the costa, dorsum and cell above the dorsum). The forewings have five white spots, three located in the outer postdiscal region and two located subapically. The underside of the wings has a mix of dark brown, light brown and mauve. The centre of the forewings is dark brown, with the white spots from the upperside appearing light brown on the underside. The apex and subapex have a mauve tint, four dark brown apical markings and a faint subapical ocellus (black with a yellowish-brown outline). The underside of the hindwings is brown with a mauve tint and dark brown markings. The hindwings have a postdiscal band (with a dark brown wavy outline) containing two double black ocelli - each with a yellowish-brown iris and a dark brown outline. The ocellus closest to the apex has a whitish pupil. There are a few dark brown postbasal markings. The body is dark brown on the upperside and light brown on the underside.

Variation: There is variation in the amount of iridescent purple tint on the upperside of the wings, as well as the amount of mauve tint on the underside of the hindswings and at the apex and subapex of the forewings. Additionally, there is variation across specimens in the degree of visibility/presence of the subapical ocellus on the forewings.

Behaviour:

Habitat:

Larval food plant:

Adult food:

Reported from: Kamarang River (Region 7), Demerara River