<> Cyrestis thyodamas Doyere,[1840] <>

the Common Map ผีเสื้อแผนที่ธรรมดา

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Photo taken at Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 540m a.s.l.

Cyrestis thyodamas is widespread and very common everywhere in the region. Surprisingly, there appears to have been no research into the life history of this species. Both sexes are similar in size and appearance although the female has a little more yellow on the wings. It has a slow, gliding flight. Both sexes habitually rest beneath leaves with their wings outspread but when basking on the ground they usually have their wings widespread and pressed flat against the ground. This is quite unusual and I know of few other butterflies that do this.

The species derives its common name from the intricate network of black lines on its wings that resemble geographical maps with latitude and longitude markings. It is truly a striking example of natural artistry.

Synonyms and other previously used names: Cyrestis chinensis

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Cyrestinae - Cyrestis - thyodamas

Regional subspecies: Cyrestis thyodamas chinensis (SW China), Cyrestis thyodamas formosana (Taiwan), Cyrestis thyodamas thyodamas (most locations)

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

Habitat: Cyrestis thyodamas is usually found in shaded evergreen and deciduous montane forest up to around 1000m a.s.l. It has however been recorded at elevations up to 3000m a.s.l. in Nepal.

Flight time: all year, depending on location Wingspan: 45-68mm

Life History: not known

Larval Hosts: Ficus ampelos, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus callosa, Ficus carica, Ficus caulocarpa, Ficus drupacea, Ficus erecta, Ficus formosana, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus neriifolia, Ficus pumila, Ficus racemosa, Ficus religiosa, Ficus sarmentosa, Ficus semicordata, Ficus septica, Ficus superba, Ficus tinctoria, Ficus variegata, Ficus vasculosa, Ficus virens, Ficus virgata (Moraceae), Debregeasia sp. (Urticaceae), Tetracera sarmentosa (Dilleniaceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Zanthoxylum avicennae (Rutaceae), Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Anaphalis contorta (Asteraceae), Cyananthus incanus (Campanulaceae), Swertia chirata (Gentianaceae), Osbeckia nepalensis (Melastomataceae), Coelogyne corymbosa (Orchidaceae), Narcissus tazetta (Amaryllidaceae), Berberis asiatica, Berberis chitria, Berberis lycium (Berberidaceae). Other - mud puddling, rotting fruit