<> Parantica melaneus (Cramer,[1775]) <>

the Chocolate Tiger ผีเสื้อลายเสือสีตาล

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

Parantica melaneus is a very common and widespread species, although surprisingly little research has been done. It has a slow and unhurried flight and can be rather skittish when approached. There is very little difference in colour and markings between the sexes. It can be easily identified by its bright orangey abdomen, when it is visable. The species is multivoltine with several generations each year.

Synonyms and previously used names: Danais melanea, Danaida melaneus, Danaus melaneus, Hestia ephyre

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Danainae - Parantica - melaneus

Regional subspecies: no ssp. (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Yunnan-China), Parantica melaneus plataniston (NE India, Bangladesh, N.Myanmar), Parantica melaneus sinopion (S.Myanmar, W.Malaysia, Singapore)

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

Habitat: Parantica melaneus is found in montane forests at low to moderate elevations. It has been recorded up to 3000m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year depending on location Wingspan: 75-85mm

Life History: not known

Larval Hosts: Jasminanthes mucronata, Marsdenia formosana, Marsdenia tinctoria, Vincetoxicum indicum (Apocynaceae). There are most likely other host plants that have not yet been recorded. Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Ageratum houstonianum, Bidens pilosa, Chromolaena odorata, Spilanthes paniculata (Asteraceae), Leea alata (Vitaceae), Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae). There are almost certainly other nectar sources that have not been recorded. Other - mud puddling.