Athyma perius

 

<> Athyma perius  (Linnaeus,1758) <>

the Common Sergeant     ผีเสื้อจ่ากระบองหักสาม

 
 
 

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Athyma perius
Photo taken at Mae Takhrai National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 480m a.s.l.

Athyma perius is a common and widespread species found in most countries across the whole of the SE Asia region, although strangely, it is missing from Singapore (it has been recorded there in the past but not for a long time). Both sexes are almost identical in appearance and size and it is probably the easiest butterfly to identify in this genus, especially if both sides of the wings can be seen. The lifespan of the adult butterflies is quite long and can be up to two months in cooler regions but the average is around 3-4 weeks. It is a strong and fast flier but usually only over short distances.

This species flies all year round and is multivoltine with many broods per annum. The larval host plants are mostly in the Phyllanthaceae family and in particular various Glochidion species. The adult female lays 1-3 eggs on each leaf of the host, sometimes on the upper surface but prefers to use the underside. The larva eats its eggshell as its first meal after hatching.

Synonyms and previously used names:   Papilio perius, Papilio leucothoe, Papilio eriosine, Pantoporia perius, Tacoraea perius, Parathyma perius, Athyma leucothoe

 

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

Regional  subspecies:  Athyma perius avitus (Lombok-Indonesia), Athyma perius hierasus (Sumatra-Indonesia), Athyma perius perinus (Java-Indonesia), Athyma perius perius (India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, S.China, Taiwan, W.Malaysia, Philippines)

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


Athyma perius

Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand  450m a.s.l.

 

Habitat:  Athyma perius is found in open evergreen and deciduous forest, grassland, and scrubland. It can also be seen visiting urban parks and gardens. It has been recorded at elevations up to 220m asl.

Flight time:  most of the year, depending on location                                      Wingspan:  54-70mm

Life History:           egg   5 days        instar 1   3-4 days         instar 2    3 days         instar 3    3 days     instar 4    3 days     instar 5   6-7 days    pupa   10-11 days     Total egg to adult   33-36 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.

Larval Hosts:  Glochidion acuminatum, Glochidion ellipticum, Glochidion eriocarpum, Glochidion heyneanum, Glochidion lanceolarium, Glochidion lanceolatum, Glochidion obscurum, Glochidion philippicum, Glochidion puberum, Glochidion rubrum, Glochidion triandrum, Glochidion wrightii, Glochidion zeylanicum, Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus virgatus (Phyllanthaceae), Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae), Wendlandia heynei, Wendlandia thyrsoidea (Rubiaceae), Euphorbia cotinifolia (Euphorbiaceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Creona corymbosa (Rubiaceae), Chromolaena odorata, Mikania micrantha, Tagetes erecta, Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae), Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Senna occidentalis (Fabaceae), Leucas indica (Lamiaceae), Kaempferia rotunda (Zingiberaceae), Coelogyne corymbosa, Dendrobium devonianun (Orchidaceae), Osbeckia nepalensis (Melastomataceae).  Other - mud puddling, rotting fruit, animal dung (including the faeces of aphids and stink bugs).

Athyma perius
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Athyma perius
Nahm Dong Park, Luang Prabang, Laos

Athyma perius
Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Coelogyne corymbosa
Coelogyne corymbosa, a nectar source

Tagetes erecta
Tagetes erecta, another nectar source

Glochidion lanceolarium
Glochidion lanceolarium, a larval host

Glochidion rubrum
Glochidion rubrum, another larval host

Athyma perius
pupa

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

 

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               This page updated 2nd August 2023