<> Calinaga brahma Melville,1893 <>

the Orange Freak ผีเสื้อพุทธสีส้ม

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Photo taken at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 1060m a.s.l.

Despite its unfortunate common name, Calinaga brahma is a beautiful species. It mimics the toxic Danainae butterflies Parantica melaneus and Parantica sita, especially in flight, therefore reducing the risk of predation. The species is uncommon and usually found near mountain streams and is a large butterfly with a slow lazy flight. There is little difference between the sexes but the female is a little paler in colour. It is thought to be univoltine producing just one brood per year.

Synonyms and previously used names: Calinaga buddha sudassana, Calinaga sudassana bedoci, Calinaga buddha sapaensis, Calinaga bedoci distans

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Calinaginae - Calinaga - brahma

Regional subspecies: Calinaga brahma bedoci (E.Laos, N.Vietnam, S.Yunnan-China), Calinaga brahma distans (C.Vietnam), Calinaga brahma sudassana (Myanmar, N.Thailand, N.Laos)

Regional Distribution: India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China

Habitat: Calinaga brahma is found in open montane forest, usually at elevations above 500m a.s.l., and has been recorded at elevations up to around 2000m a.s.l.

Flight time: not known but may be just one brood per annum Wingspan: 80-100mm

Life History: not known

Larval Hosts: Broussonetia papyrifera, Morus alba, and possibly other Morus sp. (Moraceae)

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - not known to visit flowers. Other - mud puddling