<> Spalgis epius (Moore, 1879) <>

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Photo taken at Lamnamkok N.P., Chiang Rai, Thailand 450m a.s.l.

Spalgis epius is common across most of the SE Asia region. The sexes are visually similar but unusually the male is the larger and the forewing apex is more pointed. It is a very interesting species and quite different to most other butterfly species. In the caterpillar stage, it is carnivorous and feeds on scale insects and mealy bugs. The 1st instar feeds solely on the eggs of mealy bugs while the 2nd instar feeds on the eggs and nymphs. The 3rd and 4th instars feed on the eggs, nymphs, and adult mealy bugs. The larvae do not at any stage eat plant matter.

The adults are also hemipterophagous and feed on small hemiptera.They are also fond of human sweat (presumably for the salts) and it is not unusual for one to land on your hand (see photo above).The species, unlike many other lycaenid butterflies, may not be myrmecophilous (associated with ants). It has a rapid, erratic flight pattern. Although it has six fully-developed legs, it often perches with only four legs, preferring to fold up its front legs tightly against its body. The species is multivoltine and there are a number of broods per annum. The female lays several eggs, one at a time, amongst colonies of mealybugs.

Synonyms and previously used names: Geridus epeus, Lucia epius,Lucia fangola,Lucia substrigata, Lucia pharnus, Lucia dilama, Spalgis strigatus, Spalgis georgi, Spalgis semperi, Spalgis nubilus, Spalgis titius

Taxonomy: Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Lycaenidae - Miletinae - Spalgis - epius

Regional subspecies: Spalgis epius dilama (Taiwan), Spalgis epius epius (Nepal, Bhutan, NE India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Yunnan-China, Malaysia, Singapore), Spalgis epius strigatus (Philippines), Spalgis epius substrigata (Sulawesi-Indonesia), Spalgis epius titius (Indonesia)

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

Habitat: Spalgis epius is found in rainforest and humid deciduous forest. Occasionally it is seen in urban gardens. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1400m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year depending on location Wingspan: 20-30mm

Life History: egg 3-4 days instar1 2-3 days instar2 2-3 days instar3 2-3 days instar4 3-4 days instar5 n/a pupa 10-14 days Total egg to adult 25-30 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.