Polyura nepenthes - the Shan Nawab

Doi Suthep-Pui NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

Family : Nymphalidae

Sub-Family : Charaxinae

Species : Polyura nepenthes nepenthes

 

This species, never common, has a limited distribution from Myanmar, through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. It is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 70-80mm. They are strong fliers that are usually found near streams and can sometimes be quite territorial. This species does not visit flowers and prefers to feed on rotten fruit, sap from trees, and animal dung.

Eggs are laid singly on the upperside of a young leaf of the host plant. The female may return to the same spot several times resulting in four or five eggs being deposited on the same leaf. Larval foodplant is known to be Ventilago leiocarpa (Rhamnaceae) but there may be other plant species used as well. The lifecycle from egg to adult is quite long and takes around 75-85 days to complete.

In the background of the picture above you can also see another uncommon species Polyura jalysus the Indian Yellow Nawab.

 

All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects.

Done