<> Cethosia biblis (Drury, [1773]) <>

the Red Lacewing ผีเสื้อกะทกรกแดง

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Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ 1150m a.s.l.

Like its close relative species C.cyane, this butterfly is common and appears throughout the region. It is strongly dimorphic and while the markings are similar in both sexes the difference is in colour, with the male upper wings being predominantly orangy-red and the female being grey. The colouration of the male adult indicates to potential predators that it is unpalatable. This unpalatability derives from cyanogenic glycosides ingested by the larvae from their host plants and passed on to the adult butterfly. When broken down, these chemicals synthesise cyanide. The female also has the same chemicals but not the warning colouration, which may explain why she is rarely see.

Cethosia biblis is an attractive butterfly and is therefore sought after by collectors. As the species is abundant this thankfully is not a problem. It is also popular with butterfly farms who breed their own stock. It is multivoltine with several broods per annum. It rests on low vegetation or the ground but if disturbed takes off and flies high and fast.

Synonyms: Papilio biblis, Alazonia simbiblis, Cethosia thebava, Cethosia viridiana, Papilio penthesilea, Cethosia tonkingiana, Cethosia javana, Cethosia thadana

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Heliconiinae - Cethosia - biblis

Regional subspecies: C.b.amboinensis (Indonesia), C.b.biblis (India,Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, S.China), C.b.insularis (Philippines), C.b.javana (Indonesia), C.b.liacura (Philippines), C.b.moesta (Indonesia), C.b.perakana (S.Thailand, Malaysia), C.b.picta (Sulawesi). There are several more subspecies especially in the various islands of Indonesia and the Philippines.

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

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ 700m a.s.l.

Habitat: Cethosia biblis likes space and is found in open forest areas and forest edges. It is also seen occasionally in urban areas. Elevations are usually mid to high and have been recorded up to 2300m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year round, depending on location Wingspan: 60-80mm

Life History: egg 6 days instar 1 3 days instar 2 3 days instar 3 3 days instar 4 3 days instar 5 4-5 days pupa 7 days Total egg to adult 29-31 days. All times are approximate.

Larval Hosts: Adenia cordifolia, Adenia heterophylla, Adenia macrophylla, Passiflora cochinchinensis, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora foetida, Passiflora moluccana (Passifloraceae). There may be more and actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Lantana camara, Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae), Chrysanthemum × morifolium, Tagetes erecta, Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae), Desmodium sp. (Fabaceae), Asclepias curassavica (Apocynaceae), Pentas lanceolata (Rubiaceae), Jatropha integerrima (Euphorbiaceae). Note: there may be other nectar sources that have not been recorded. Other: mud puddling (occasional), carrion, animal dung