<> Doleschallia bisaltide Cramer,[1777] <>

the Autumn Leaf ผีเสื้อใบไม้เล็ก

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Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. ♂ 420m a.s.l.

Doleschallia bisaltide is one of the group known as the 'dead leaf' butterflies because when their wings are closed they resemble a dead leaf. The species is widely distributed across the region and can be locally common. There are only minor visual differences between the sexes but generally the female is lighter in colour. The underwing of both sexes is quite variable and is affected by seasonal polyphenism as well as other environmental issues. Usually seen at forest edges and in sunny glades within the forest. It is a strong flier and when settling on a wall or tree trunk to rest it often assumes a downward-facing posture.

The species is multivoltine with several generations per annum. The adult female lays her eggs on the underside of a leaf on the host plant, usually in small batches of just two or three.

Synonyms and previously used names: Doleschallia continentalis

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Nymphalinae - Doleschallia - bisaltide

Regional subspecies: Doleschallia bisaltide borneensis (E.Malaysia,Kalimantan-Indonesia), D.bisaltide celebensis (Sulawesi-Indonesia), D.bisaltide cethega (Indonesia), D.bisaltide mariae (Sumatra/Java-Indonesia), D.bisaltide philippensis (Philippines), D.bisaltide polibete (Maluka-Indonesia), D.bisaltide pratipa (S.Thailand, W.Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra-Indonesia), D.bisaltide siamensis (S.Myanmar, N.Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China), D.bisaltide tenimberensis (Timor-Indonesia), D.bisaltide tualensis (Indonesia)

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

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. ♂ 1190m a.s.l.

Habitat: Doleschallia bisaltide is generally found in primary and secondary rainforest and also evergreen montane forest at low to moderate elevations. It has been recorded up to around 1400m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year, depending on location Wingspan: 50-65mm

Life History: egg 4 days instar 1 3-4 days instar 2 3 days instar 3 2-3 days instar 4 2-3 days instar 5 5-6 days pupa 8-9 days Total egg to adult 29-32 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.

Larval Hosts: Asystasia chelonoides, Asystasia gangetica, Eranthemum pulchellum, Graptophyllum insularum, Graptophyllum pictum, Pseuderanthemum album, Pseuderanthemum bicolor, Pseuderanthemum crenulatum, Pseuderanthemum graciliflorum, Pseuderanthemum latifolium, Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum, Pseuderanthemum maculatum, Pseuderanthemum variabile, Ruellia blechum, Ruttya fruticosa, Strobilanthes anisophylla, Strobilanthes auriculata (Acanthaceae), Artocarpus altilis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Artocarpus integer (Moraceae), Erythrina variegata (Fabaceae), Girardinia diversifolia (Urticaceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Cordia cylindrostachya (Boraginaceae), Austroeupatorium inulifolium, Mikania micrantha, Zinnia sp. (Asteraceae), Ligustrum glomeratum (Oleaceae), Pseuderanthemum album (Acanthaceae), Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae), Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae), Premna serratifolia (Lamiaceae). Other - mud puddling