Butterflies of Cusco

Dalla costala costala

Uncommon 2150-3500 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Very similar to D. agathocles (I have no Cusco reocrds; it may not occur); best told by larger outer spot - about the same size as the inner spot - on DHW band, which is rarely visible in the field.

2150 m., Alto Combamayo, Calca
2021-Aug27

3500 m., Carrizales, La Convencion
2021-Jul26

Dalla polycrates lania

Uncommon at 2400 m.; probably lower and slightly higher. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Yellowish base of VHW and rufous fringe distinguish it from D. epiphaneus limba.

2400 m., Pillahuata, Paucartambo
2022-Nov05

(2150 m., San Alberto, Pasco)
2016-Oct29

Dalla epiphaneus limba

Rare 1800-2400 m. Attracted to bait.

Similar species: Distinctive; see D. polycrates.

2400 m., Pillahuata, Paucartambo
2022-Nov05

1800 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2015-Nov14

Dalla sp.nov. [polycrates group]

Rare at 3500 m. Puddles. As far as I know, these photos represent the only encounters to date with this distinctive species; it is probably rare, and possibly restricted to the upper reaches of semi-humid valleys.

Similar species: [none]

3500 m., Carrizales, La Convencion
2021-Jul26

2800 m., Marcapata, Quispicanchi
2022-Oct20

Dalla dimidiatus lilla

Fairly common 1600-2400 m. Usually found puddling; attracted to bait.

Similar species: D. cocha (I have no Cusco records) and D. miser are similar. On cocha, the VHW base is pure white, not yellowish as on dimidiatus (but beware worn individuals) and the dark outer section of the VHW is narrower than the pale base. On miser, note that the VHW white base extends broadly into space 2 unlike dimidiatus.

1800 m., Rocoal, Paucartambo
2015-Nov14

2150 m., Alto Combamayo, Calca
2021-Aug27

Dalla miser

Uncommon 1000-2300 m. Usually found puddling; attracted to bait.

Similar species: D. cocha (I have no Cusco records) and D. dimidiatus are similar. On miser, note that the VHW white base extends broadly into space 2 unlike the other two species.

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

2300 m., Rocoal, Paucartambo
2015-May21

Dalla caicus inca

Uncommon 1050-2100 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: [none]

1050 m., Lower Manu Roado, Paucartambo
2016-Nov15

(1000 m., Pozuzo, Pasco)
2011-Oct23

Dalla dognini

Common 1400-2100 m. Puddles; attracted to bait.

Similar species: Central yellow area VHW more extensive than others.

2100 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2015-Nov17

1500 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2021-Nov24

Dalla scylla

Common 1350-2100 m. Puddles; attracted to bait.

Similar species: D. nona has the yellow patch in space 1 VHW extending further towards base of wing.

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2019-Oct05

1500 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2016-Nov12

1450 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2018-Oct11

Dalla (genes) golia

Uncommon 2150-2400 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Others lack the thin dark line distal from the yellow VHW patch.

2400 m., Pillahuata, Paucartambo
2014-Nov01

2150 m., Alto Combayamo, Calca
2021-Aug27

2150 m., Alto Combayamo, Calca
2021-Sep01

Dalla (genes) nona

Uncommon 2000-2700 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: Yellow markings in space 1 VHW extends towards base further than on D. scylla.

2700 m., Pillahuata, Paucartambo
2018-Oct22

2000 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2021-Nov21

Dalla cyprius quinka

Common 1350-2100 m. Usually found puddling; attracted to bait.

Similar species: [none]

1800 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2015-Nov14

2000 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2019-Oct04

Dalla cypselus evages

Common 1000-2150 m. Usually found puddling.

Similar species: D. spica has an obvious apical spot on VHW. Usually shows a hint of submarginal spots on VHW, unlike D. mesoxantha; best told by DFW: cypselus has cellspot and spot in space 2 widely separated; they are conjoined in mesoxantha.

2150 m., Alto Combamayo, Calca
2021-Sep01

2050 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2018-Oct21

Dalla spica livia

Fairly common 1050-2100 m. Usually found puddling; attracted to bait. VHW tornal and apical yellow spots always present; markings between them, and in base of space 7, are variable.

Similar species: D. cypselus lacks an obvious apical spot on VHW.

2150 m., Alto Combamayo, Calca
2021-Sep01

2050 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2018-Oct21

1050 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2016-Nov15

Dalla cupavia cupavia

Common 900-2400 m. Usually found puddling; attracted to bait and flowers.

Similar species: Most similar to D. frater, but lacks DFW cellspot, or has a very small spot in upper cell; frater has a large spot in lower cell that may extend across upper cell as well. D. frater never shows a strong, well-defined pale streak at base of VHW costa, unlike cupavia.

900 m., Cadena, Quispicanchi
2014-Dec15

2000 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2021-Nov21

2150 m., Alto Combamayo, Calca
2021-Aug27

2050 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2018-Oct21

Dalla frater

Uncommon 1050-1350 m. Attracted to bait and puddles.

Similar species: See D. cupavia. Can also recall D. spica but V ground colour not as red.

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

1100 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2017-Oct28

1350 m., San Pedro, Paucartambo
2014-Oct25

(1400 m., Risaralda, Colombia)
2014-Oct14

Dalla mesoxantha

Uncommon 1050-2000 m. Attracted to bait and puddles.

Similar species: V very similar to D. cypselus but generally less marked on VHW outside of large central patch, with only a tornal spot and often a tiny, well-defined spot at the base of space 7; cypselus often has faint submarginal spots. Best told by DFW cellspot and spot in space 2 being conjoined; in cypselus they are widely separated.

2000 m., Rocotal, Paucartambo
2022-Oct30

(1900 m., Alto Nieva, Amazonas)
2018-Sep30

Dalla oxaites

Uncommon at 1000(and lower?) m. Attracted to bait and puddles.

Similar species: No others have a conspicuous, broad creamy streak at the base of the VHW costa and lack a spot in the base of space 7 below it.

1000 m., Lower Manu Road, Paucartambo
2016-Nov09

(400 m., El Paujil, Pasco)
2016-Oct25

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