The butterfly Vettius lucretius (Latreille,1824) (Lepidoptera, Family Hesperiidae, Subfamily Hesperiinae) has been an important parasite of bromeliads in cultivation in South Brazil, especially of Vriesea and Aechmea. This is an infrequent species that occurs from Pará State, in Brazil, to Northern Argentina.  Host plant in the wild is still unknown. Observe that the larvae devour only the thin waxy film, i.e. the cuticle, that covers   the surface of leaves, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells. You may click on the Thumbnails to see larger photos

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 Lagarta_4.jpg (129381 bytes) Lagarta_6.jpg (109372 bytes)

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 Thespeius sp.2.jpg (80261 bytes) Thespeius sp.4.jpg (80113 bytes)

Upper row, from left to right: (a) Whole plant with typical injuries; (b) Detail of leaf; (c) Caterpillar;
Lower row, from left to right: (d) Excrement  (e) Vettius lucretius, dorsal; (f) idem., ventral.