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Project Noah Nature School
Zesius chrysomallus
Male ♂ It exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism. It is a medium sized butterfly having a uniform coppery brown or red with a tinge of light blue towards the base of the forewings of the upper side. The violet scales are found more distally on the hind wing. It has two tornal spots on the upper side. The underside is light silvery gray background with rows of light buff colored markings and two tornal spots crowned in orange. This butterfly has three tails, one being more prominent than the rest. Female ♀ It shows polymorphism. It is darker brown with bluish grey at the cell areas. It has two tornal spots on the upper side. The upper sides are highly variable, with some specimens showing very little blue. The undersides are similar as the male.
A widely distributed, all over the island uncommon species found below 2500 feet, but is very rarely found above it. They are found in lightly wooded, areas and home gardens. It also prefers areas with heavy rainfall.
Caterpillar It is with the presence of red ants (Oecophylla smaragdina ) in a symbiotic relationship.
Spotted on Aug 11, 2012
Submitted on Aug 12, 2012
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