<> Hestina persimilis (Westwood, [1850]) <>
the Siren ผีเสื้อไซเรน
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Photo taken at Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ 540m a.s.l.
This species is mainly found in the cooler northern parts of the region and, although generally uncommon, can be common locally . Sexes are similar in appearance but colours in the female are slightly paler with larger white areas. Multivoltine but number of broods is unknown. More research is needed for this species.
Synonyms and previously used names: Hestina zella, Diagora persimilis, Hestina aporina, Diadema persimilis, Parhestina persimilis, Hestina subviridis, Hestina yankowskyi, Euripus japonicus
Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Apaturinae - Hestina - persimilis
Regional suspecies: H.p.chinensis (W.China), H.p.persimilis (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Thailand)
Regional Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China
Habitat: montane forest at moderate elevations, up to 1100m a.s.l. Wingspan: 55-65mm
Flight time: most of the year except the very coldest months, depending on location
Larval Hosts: Celtis australis, Celtis biondii, Celtis boninensis, Celtis jessoensis, Celtis sinensis, Celtis timorensis (Cannabaceae)
Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Buddleja asiatica (Scrophulariaceae). Other - mud puddling, over-ripe fruit, tree sap, animal dung, bird droppings
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| Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ |
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| Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ |
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| Celtis timorensis a larval host |
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| Buddleja asiatica a nectar source |
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