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Project Noah Nature School
Perhaps . . .
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheEntom...
Based upon recently obtained data, I can now confidently place this larva in the genus Euryphura, seemingly either E. plautilla or E. chalcis, both being reported for Lagos and having unknown early stages. Dotun, thus a scientific first!
Its caterpillar . . .
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/20...
The adult . . .
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/19...
FYI on the analysis . . .
According to my possibly dated references, the danaids reported for Viti Levu are:
* Danaus plexippus – LOOKS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
* Euploea boisduvalii – MATCHES TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION
* Euploea leucostictos – LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT
* Euploea lewinii – PATTERNING SAME, BUT NOT COLOR & TUBERCLES, ON RAROTONGA (http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/spec...)
* Euploea tulliolus – 3 PAIRS OF TUBERCLES
* Tirumala hamata – 2 PAIRS OF TUBERCLES
Thus, all considered, either Euploea boisduvalii (my vote; if correct, these being the first "published" photos) or the Fijian subspecies of E. lewinii. Congratulations Albert!
Determination based upon location, hostplant, abundance, and comparative photos provided to Bernadette privately.
Kyle, Palmking cats feed on many different native and ornamental palms (Arecaceae), so since the butterfly allegedly lives naturally nearby, simply go outside and find a local species or two for them to eat. Here is a helpful report from India . . .
http://bflyearlystages.weebly.com/upload...
Hi Kyle, Palmking larvae are completely safe to handle, as are all other butterfly caterpillars, regardless of any hairs or spines. Some immature moths, however, can be painful to touch.
Hi Albert, excellent photos as usual!
Hi Dominik, the difference between Cethosia hypsea and C. methypsea larvae is indeed subtle, but nevertheless consistent, at least in Singapore and apparently the adjacent Indonesian islands. Thus, please be cautious with any future caterpillar IDs, as the referenced thoracic distinction may not apply elsewhere – for example the Philippines, where only C. hypsea narrowly occurs. Here are other useful links . . .
* http://butterflycircle.blogspot.sg/2013/...
* http://butterflycircle.blogspot.sg/2015/...
* https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforest... (same as above but more helpful)
