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Parthenos sylvia lilacinus
The genus Parthenos comprises of 3 species, sylvia, tigrina and aspila. The latter 2 are endemic to Papua New Guinea, while sylvia in comparison has an extremely wide distribution being found in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South and South-East Asia, mostly in forested areas. The Clipper is a fast flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping. The Clipper is a powerful and fast flying butterfly. The flight consists of short periods of gliding, alternating every few seconds with shallow but rapid flickering wing beats. Both sexes commonly nectar at Lantana and other flowers. Males will also settle on the ground to imbibe moisture. If disturbed they fly up immediately, circle around at a height of about 3 metres, and then resettle nearby.
This species is found in primary rainforest, usually in the vicinity of rivers, at elevations between sea level and about 300 metres.
Spotted in a tropical butterfly garden in S.E. France, on the French/Spanish border. Photos courtesy of Claire Chamberlin
Spotted on Jul 19, 2012
Submitted on Jul 22, 2012
