Peacock Pansy

Description:

Family - NYMPHALIDAE subfamily - NYMPHALINAE Tribe - JUNONIINI

Habitat:

Junonia almana is distributed from India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines, and ranges south through the Malay archipelago to Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and Java. This is a common species found in a wide variety of habitats including forest clearings, Acacia thorn scrub, palm-fringed beaches, savannah, dry woodlands, arable farmland and botanical gardens. It is primarily a lowland species found at altitudes between sea level and about 500m, although it can be found as high as 1000m.

Notes:

The butterflies are usually seen in two's and three's. They often bask for several minutes at a time on the ground or on low foliage, especially if the weather is cloudy. They are quite nervous, and if approached they flit rapidly into the air and circle around, before settling again, typically well out of reach amidst a tangle of thorny Acacia growth.