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Project Noah Nature School
Polyura athamas
It can be considered as one of the strong and fast-flying canopy butterflies of Sri Lanka. The males are very prone to hill-topping, especially on tea estates where their host plants are grown as shade or soil conditioners. It may be seen flying around tree tops searching for females, or flying into trees in search of oozing sap. When a butterfly is sighted at a particular location, it can invariably be seen in that area for a considerable period of time but it is however hard to approach. When disturbed, it quickly flies up into the trees and settles down on a leaf where it may remain for a considerable period of time.
It occurs everywhere in the island except the extreme north, from sea level to over 5000 feet, except in the extreme North. It is especially common in the hill country.
The larvae feeds on species of Fabaceae plants and Leguminosae such as Acacia spp., Albizzia sp.,Poinciana regia, Caesalpina spp.,and otherspecies.
Spotted on Dec 23, 2012
Submitted on Dec 28, 2012
5 Comments
thank you namitha!
thank you Daniele!
@ namitha, i have no idea about that, but i'm pretty sure there is a good reason..
Beautiful spotting Nuwan!
Beautiful spotting Nuwan. But, I was wondering, why that green patch wouldn't it affect the butterflies ability to camouflage efficiently.
it's hard to find in the ground without that green patch..
That green mark is superb!