Auzakia danava

 

<> Auzakia danava  (Moore,[1858]) <>

the Chocolate Commodore     ผีเสื้อแถบตาลไหม้

 

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Auzakia danava
Photo taken at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂ 1060m a.s.l.

Distribution is mainly confined to the northern part of the region. Frequents higher elevations but occasionally descends to lower altitudes. Auzakia is a monotypic genus containing just this one species. It is dimorphic and the sexes look quite different to each other. Multivoltine with several broods per annum. Not well known and further in-depth study is needed.

Synonyms and previously used names:   Limenitis brunnea, Limenitis danava

Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Auzakia - danava

Regional Distribution:  India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China

Habitat:  montane forest, up to 2400m a.s.l.                                              Wingspan:  65-75mm

Flight time:  most of the year except the coldest months

Larval Hosts:  Lonicera glabrata (Caprifoliaceae).  There may be other Lonicera species that are used as hosts which have not yet been recorded.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Magnolia campbellii (Magnoliaceae), Vanda cristata (Orchidaceae), Fragaria nubicola (Rosaceae). There may be other plant species visited but not yet recorded or observed.  Other - mud puddling

Auzakia danava
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀

Lonicera glabrata
Lonicera glabrata, a larval host

Fragaria nubicola
Fragaria nubicola, a nectar source

Vanda cristata
Vanda cristata, another nectar source

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

 

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