Cynitia cocytus

 

<> Cynitia cocytus  (Fabricius,1787) <>

the Lavender Count     ผีเสื้อเคาท์ขอบม่วง

 

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Cynitia cocytus
Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂ 1050m a.s.l.

Considering that this species can be quite common locally, very little is known about it. It is dimorphic and the sexes are very different in appearance (see photos below). It is multivoltine with several broods per annum but nothing appears to be known about it's lifecycle or host plants. An in-depth study is needed.

Synonyms and previously used names:    Tanaecia cocytus, Papilio cocytus, Adolias satropaces, Euthalia sebonga, Euthalia cocytus

Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Cynitia - cocytus

Regional Distribution:  India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia

Habitat:  lowland and montane forest locations at moderate elevations                    Wingspan:  50-70mm

Flight time:  most of the year, depending on location.

Larval Hosts:  There is no information about host plants but may be similar to its sister species C.lepidea which uses plants in the Lecythidaceae and Melastomataceae families.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Not known if it visits flowers for nectar.  Other - mud puddling.

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Cynitia cocytus
Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

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

 

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