Psyche

In flight, the Psyche is unmistakable. It’s a most ponderous flyer, always seen dreamily fluttering by the low growing vegetation that provides habitat. It flies just a foot or two above ground incessantly, occasionally settling down to nectar on the flowers of small herbs. It is partial to shade and dappled light and stays away from bright open spaces. Even when alarmed the pathetic creature is scarcely able to accelerate its wing beats to evade trouble; it may dive half heartedly into the undergrowth, but that is the limit of its capacity to demonstrate excitement.

When at rest, the wings are folded up and held above the abdomen and the forewings are pulled back considerably. As a result, only the distal area of the forewing is visible. It is one of the few butterflies that will fly under overcast conditions.