Athyma selenophora

 

<> Athyma selenophora  (Kollar,1844) <>

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Athyma selenophora
Photo taken at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai. Thailand ♂ 400m a.s.l.

Athyma selenophora is common and very widely distributed throughout the region. Often seen around forest margins. The species is dimorphic and the sexes look very different, with the female only rarely seen. Like most species in this genus it is a strong flier. It is multivoltine with several broods per annum. After hatching, the larvae crawl to the edge of the leaf to feed, and collect their own faeces. They spin silk to stick the fecal particles to the edge of the leaf where they are eating. The fecal particles are arranged in strips that extend outward. This nest composed of dung particles helps in the hiding of the larvae from predators.

Synonyms and previously used names:   Pantoporia selenophora, Pantoporia bahula, Pantoporia batilda


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

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

Habitat:  Athyma selenophora is usually found in brighter environments such as broad-leaved forests or surrounding ridges, open wastelands, forest edges, and forest roads. It has been recorded at elevations up to 2500m a.s.l. in Nepal.

Flight time:  all year round, depending on location                              Wingspan:  50-60mm

Life History:       egg   4 days      instar 1   2 days      instar 2    2 days      instar 3    3 days    instar 4    4 days      instar 5   7 days     pupa   8 days     Total egg to adult   31-32 days.    All times are approximate.

Larval Hosts:  Adina cordifolia, Adina pilulifera, Cephalanthus tetrandrus, Greenea corymbosa, Mussaenda erosa, Mussaenda frondosa, Mussaenda parviflora, Mussaenda philippica, Mussaenda pubescens, Pavetta indica, Uncaria hirsuta, Uncaria rhynchophylla, Wendlandia formosana, Wendlandia thyrsoidea, Wendlandia uvariifolia (Rubiaceae), Glochidion rubrum (Phyllanthaceae).  Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Zanthoxylum avicennae (Rutaceae), Woodfordia fruticosa (Lythraceae). There may be other nectar sources yet to be recorded.   Other - mud puddling, decaying matter

Athyma selenophora
Doi Inthanon N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂

Athyma selenophora
Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂

Zanthoxylum avicennae
Zanthoxylum avicennae, a nectar source

Athyma selenophora female
Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand ♀

Athyma selenophora
Doi Inthanon N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand ♂

Woodfordia fruticosa
Woodfordia fruticosa, another nectar source

Mussaenda frondosa
Mussaenda frondosa, a larval host

Adina cordifolia
Adina cordifolia, another larval host

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 18th April 2026