Great Eggfly (Female)

Description:

Male: The upper side is black with two elongated white patches on the forewing and one large rounded patch on the hindwing. These patches are surrounded by brilliant light blue scales. The brightness and intensity of these scales differ according to the angle of view. The markings on its dark brown coloured underside are highly variable. Usually, the white patches on the upper side are represented here without the blue scales. The patch on the hindwing alters to a faint, oblique line in some individuals. The cream coloured markings on the outer margins are also variable. Female: The upper side is dark chocolate brown with creamy outer marginal markings on the hindwing that are also mirrored in the underside. Newly emerged individuals have some lustrous dark blue patches towards the upper margin of the forewing. The underside looks like that of the male, but more often without the white patches.

Habitat:

A newly plowed rice field.

Notes:

Females lay eggs on saplings or on surrounding surfaces after perching on the ground. This is a migrant species.