Chiang Dao NS, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Apaturinae
Species :
Mimathyma ambica miranda
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This uncommon species is distributed in a relatively restricted region stretching from India, through Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, to Vietnam. It is closely related to the European Purple Emperor but is quite different in appearance. Apaturinae butterflies are also generally considered to be closely related to the Charaxinae and Satyrinae subfamilies, as shown by similarities in their early developmental stages. It is a medium size butterfly with a wingspan of 50-60mm, the male being slightly smaller than the female. Both sexes are similar in appearance but males have beautiful iridescent blue patches on their upper wings and the underwing is slightly darker on the female.
This species inhabits rainforest and humid deciduous forest at elevations of up to 2,000 m. Males often visit damp ground to imbibe mineralised moisture and are also quite fond of dung and bird droppings.They habitually settle on rocks and boulders, and if disturbed will often return to the same spot within a few minutes. However, they are easily disturbed and so are not the easiest of species to photograph. The larval foodplant is
Ulmus lanaefolia (Ulmaceae) .
See a photo of the upper wings of this species in the first comment box below.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations. 