<> Sephisa chandra Moore, [1858] <>

the Eastern Courtier ผีเสื้อจันทรา

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Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂ 460m a.s.l.

Sephisa chandra is fairly widespread across mostly the northern parts of the region where it can be locally quite common. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males and females (not illustrated here) differing in size, colouration, and wing patterning. Females also exhibit polymorphism possibly associated with mimicry. Adult males are territorial, perching on hilltop canopies where they defend small areas against intruders. The species is rarely seen below around 450m a.s.l., preferring the cooler climes at higher elevations.

Unusually for butterflies in this subfamily, the larvae feed on oak but the life cycle is not fully known. Females lay their eggs on the undersides of the host plant leaves. This species are rapid fliers.

Synonyms and previously used names: Sephisa rex, Castalia chandra, Sephisa albina, Sephisa chandrana, Sephisa djalia, Sephisa veria, Sephisa atiya

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Apaturinae - Sephisa - chandra

Regional subspecies: Sephisa chandra androdamas (Taiwan), Sephisa chandra chandra (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, S.China), Sephisa chandra stubbsi (W.Malaysia)

Regional Distribution: Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia

Habitat: Sephisa chandra is found in broadleaf evergreen and mixed deciduous forest up to 1700m a.s.l. There are some reports of sightings at up to 2500m in the eastern Himalayas.

Flight time: most of the year depending on location Wingspan: 70-90mm

Life History: not fully known

Larval Hosts: Lithocarpus glaber, Quercus gilva, Quercus glauca, Quercus helferiana, Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus morii, Quercus tarokoensis (Fagaceae)

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - not known to visit flowers. Other - mud puddling