Athyma opalina

 

<> Athyma opalina  (Kollar,[1844]) <>

the Himalayan Sergeant     ผีเสื้อจ่าหิมาลัย

 

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Athyma opalina
Photo taken at Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand. 450m a.s.l.

Distribution is mainly confined to the northern part of the region although it has been recorded as far south as southern Vietnam. Like most other members of this genus it is a strong flyer. Sexes are almost identical in markings and size. Multivoltine with several broods per annum although further study is needed. 

Synonyms and previously used names:    Pantoporia parajina

Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Athyma - opalina

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

Habitat:  subtropical evergreen forest, up to 3000m a.s.l.                                              Wingspan:  55-65mm

Flight time:  most of the year but not the coldest months

Larval Hosts:  Berberis aristata, Berberis lycium, Berberis napaulensis (Berberidaceae), Mussaenda frondosa (Rubiaceae).  Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Jasminum dispermum (Oleaceae), Dendrobium devonianun, Dendrobium primulinum, Pleione hookeriana (Orchidaceae), Narcissus tazetta (Amaryllidaceae), Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae). There may be other plant species visited but not yet recorded or observed.  Other - mud puddling

Athyma opalina
Chiang Rai, Thailand

Mussaenda frondosa
Mussaenda frondosa, a larval host

Bidens pilosa
Bidens pilosa, a nectar source

Butterflies of Thailand and SE Asia  -  BugsAlive Species Information Sheet
© All images are the copyright of Tim Stratford

 

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