Doi Suthep-Pui NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Family : Riodinidae
Sub-Family : Nemeobiinae
Species : Dodona egeon egeon
This butterfly is quite rare but occurs in specific locations in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, south-western China, and Malaysia. It is a small-medium butterfly with a wingspan of 40-50mm, the female being slightly larger than the male. It is a montane forest species that is usually encountered above 1000m asl and in some regions above 2200m. The adults of both sexes feed mainly on algae, salts and bacteria growing on damp soil, leaves and rocks near streams. Other food sources are pollen, nectar and excrement.
A study in Nepal showed the larval foodplant to be Myrsine sp. , a small evergreen fruit tree of the Primulaceae family. The lifecycle is quite long and eggs laid on the host plant hatch in 7 days with the resulting larvae going through five instar stages lasting 27 days. Pupation then takes place and the new adult emerges after a further 10 days.
An upperside view of this species can be seen in the first comment box below. If you can't see it just click "View previous comments".
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
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