<> Charaxes marmax Westwood,1848 <>
the Yellow Rajah ผีเสื้อม้าแดงสามจุด
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Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 400m a.s.l.
Charaxes marmax is an uncommon species that is usually seen when feeding near streams. Both sexes are similar in appearance but the female is slightly larger. It has a strong and rapid flight and usually spends its time in the tree tops unless feeding. The male butterflies exhibit strong territorial behaviour.
Probably multivoltine but it is not known how many generations there are each year. The female lays her eggs singly on top of a leaf on the host plant. When the larva pupates it attaches itself to a leaf stalk. The life cycle is quite long and so there are probably not so many broods per annum.
Synonyms and other previously used names: Charaxes philopator, Haridra marmax
Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Charaxinae - Charaxes - marmax
Regional subspecies: Charaxes marmax marmax (NE India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Yunnan-China), Charaxes marmax philosarcus (W.Malaysia)
Regional Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Indonesia
Habitat: Charaxes marmax is found in rainforest and humid deciduous montane forest. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1100m a.s.l.
Flight time: most of the year depending on location Wingspan: 50–65mm
Life History: egg 4 days instar 1 7 days instar 2 6 days instar 3 7 days instar 4 6 days instar 5 10 days pupa 21 days Egg to adult 61-63 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.
Larval Hosts: Croton tiglium (Euphorbiaceae). It is not known if any other plant species are used.
Adult Food Sources: Nectar - not known to visit flowers. Other - mud puddling, animal dung & urine, tree sap, rotting fruit
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| Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand |
.jpg "Charaxes marmax") |
| Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Croton tiglium, a larval host |
Links to other pages in this series for species in the same subfamily
Charaxes marmax
Polyura delphis
Polyura nepenthes
