Large, colorful undet. skipper

[Trehopr1]

For some time now I have owned this lovely
large, tropical skipper species from Costa Rica.

Found in a fine collection "many moons" ago it
remains one of the few (exotic) hesperiid species
that I have ever run across in my purchases/trades.

Hopefully Jshuey, will see and know this species
and can forward a species determination. Thanks !



*You know, if I lived in a region where skipper
species like this could be had I'd probably of
taken a more serious interest in this group.

[livingplanet3]

I think it might be in the genus Phocides.

[Jshuey]

The antennae are a huge clue to subfamily. If they are shaped like a golf club - then it is a Pyrrhopyginae. This subfamily is engaged is some crazy mimicry complexes with other subfamilies - and Phocides is one of several genera in the subfamily Eudaminae that play the game as well. Janzen speculates that the mimicry is a "you can't catch me" game, so don't even try. A game they probably play with birds.

The bug in question is Jemadia pseudognetus - which is always a thrill to see in the field.

John