Athyma asura

 

<> Athyma asura  (Moore, [1858]) <>

the Studded Sergeant     ผีเสื้อจ่าอสูร

 
 

Click on any photo to see all photos full size in Lightbox

Additions and corrections to the information provided on this page is always welcome. Please use the Contact form.

 

Limenitis asura
Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai. Thailand. 700m a.s.l.

A very common species that is distributed throughout the whole region. It is instantly recognisable because of the row of white rings or 'studs' across the hindwings. This separates it from all the look-alike members of the Athyma genus and the smaller sized Neptis. There is no visual difference between the sexes and the only way of separating them in the field is that the females usually hang around the host plants while the males are usually found puddling. However, this is not a definitive rule and cannot be relied on.

It is a fast flier and usually found in the vicinity of streams. Males exhibit terrirorial behaviour, chasing off any butterflies that intrude on their territory. The species flies all year round and is multivoltine with several broods per annum.

NOTE: There is a difference of opinion as to which genus this butterfly belongs. Some place it in the Athyma genus and others in the Limenitis. Until there is a consensus this sheet has been created under both genera.

Synonyms and previously used names:   Pantoporia asura, Parathyma asura

 

Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Athyma - asura

Regional  subspecies:   A.a.aei (Philippines), A.a.asura (NE India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam), A.a.baelia (Taiwan), A.a.battakana (Indonesia), A.a.elwesi (China), A.a.idita (S.Myanmar, S.Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia). Other subspecies found on various islands in Indonesia and the Philippines are anaka, divina, latecincta, & pusilla.

Regional Distribution:  India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines

 

Limenitis asura
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand.  450m a.s.l.

Habitat:  Athyma asura is a forest dependent species found in subtropical evergreen forest and forest clearings, at elevations up to 2000m a.s.l. It is often located near streams as the males are ardent puddlers.

Flight time:  all year round, depending on location                                             Wingspan:  50-65mm

Life History:        egg   4 days       instar 1   3 days        instar 2    2-3 days        instar 3    2-3 days    instar 4    4 days     instar 5   6-7 days    pupa   8-9 days     Total egg to adult   30-33 days.    All times are approximate.

Larval Hosts:  Ixora congesta, Diospyros lanceifolia (Ebenaceae), Ilex asprella, Ilex cymosa, Ilex micrococca (Aquifoliaceae), Aidia canthioides, Pitardella sikkimensis (Rubiaceae).  Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Thunbergia coccinea (Acanthaceae). NOTE: This species is not a regular visitor to flowers but there may be other nectar plants that it visits which are as yet unrecorded.   Other - mud puddling, carrion

Athyma asura
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Pha Dang National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Pha Dang National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma asura
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thunbergia coccinea
Thunbergia coccinea, a nectar source

Ilex micrococca
Ilex micrococca, a larval host

Ilex cymosa
Ilex cymosa, another larval host


Butterflies of Thailand and SE Asia  -  BugsAlive Species Information Sheet
© All images are the copyright of Tim Stratford

 

                     Links to other pages in this series for species in the same subfamily

  
 
               This page updated 11th March 2023