Presence and Phenotypic Variability of Palmaris Gustavi (staudinger, 1898) in Northern Chile, with Notes on Palmaris Penai (hayward, 1967) (lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

Although it has been assumed that the satyrine butterfly Palmaris gustavi (Staudinger, 1898) should be present in northern Chile, no reliable reports of its observation and capture have been provided. Here, we report the presence of P. gustavi in several localities of northern Chile stretching from the altiplanic regions of Putre to those of San Pedro de Atacama, 550 km to the south. We also report that this butterfly displays a strong phenotypic variability, ranging from dark forms with entirely dark brown upper wing surfaces to light forms with large silvery discal and marginal areas. Both forms were observed together in one population. Illustrations of the adult habitus and male genitalia are provided, as well as notes and illustrations of the habitat. We suggest that the closely related Palmaris penai (Hayward, 1967) may be conspecific with P. gustavi, or alternatively that the San Pedro de Atacama population observed by us represents P. penai and the diagnostic features of this species have to be reassessed.