Euthalia lubentina

 

<> Euthalia lubentina  (Cramer, [1777]) <>

the Gaudy Baron     ผีเสื้อบารอนเขียวแดงธรรมดา

 
 
 

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Euthalia lubentina
Photo taken at Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀ 540m a.s.l.

Euthalia lubentina is a beautiful species that is widely distributed throughout the region and is uncommon but not rare. It is sexually dimorphic with the female being the larger and with prominent white markings on the forewings. It is fast flying, very nervous, and easily disturbed, which means it prefers the forest canopy although it does come down to lower levels to feed. It is usually seen in the vicinity of streams and the males are territorial on treetops.

The species is multivoltine with several broods per annum. The adult female lays her eggs on the upper surface of a leaf on the host plant. The larvae look similar to those of other members of this genus and are therefore well camouflaged. They usually feed at night. Surprisingly little research has been has been made on this species and further study is needed.

Synonyms and previously used names:   - Papilio lubentina

 

Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Euthalia - lubentina

Regional  subspecies:  Euthalia lubentina chersonesia (S.Thailand, W.Malaysia),  E.lubentina goertzi (Negros-Philippines), E.lubentina leytensis (Leyte-Philippines), E.lubentina lubentina (Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China), E.lubentina nadenya (Luzon-Philippines), E.lubentina philippensis (Basilan-Philippines)

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

 

Euthalia lubentina
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂  450m a.s.l.

Habitat:  Euthalia lubentina is found in deciduous montane forest, hilltops, and stream edges. It has been recorded at elevations up to 3000m a.s.l.

Flight time:  most of the year, dependng on location                                              Wingspan:  60-80mm

Life History:       not fully known but total egg to adult period is understood to be around  40-45 days.

Larval Hosts:  Dendrophthoe falcata, Dendrophthoe glabrescens, Dendrophthoe longiflora, Macrosolen capitellatus, Macrosolen cochinchinensis, Scurrula cordifolia, Scurrula elata, Scurrula ferruginea, Scurrula parasitica, Taxillus cuneatus, Taxillus incanus, Taxillus tomentosus, Tolypanthus gardneri (Loranthaceae), Streblus asper (Moraceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - not a regular nectar feeder but it has been seen on Buddleia asiatica (Scrophulariaceae) and may occasionally visit other flowers. However no other specific plant species seem to have been recorded.  Other - mud puddling, tree sap, over-ripe fruit including Jak fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) & cashew nuts

Euthalia lubentina
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Euthalia lubentina
Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Euthalia lubentina
Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Buddleia asiatica
Buddleia asiatica, an occasional nectar source

Euthalia lubentina
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♀

Euthalia lubentina
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Euthalia lubentina
Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand  ♂

Euthalia lubentina
Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand ♀

Scurrula parasitica
Scurrula parasitica, a popular larval host

Dendrophthoe falcata
Dendrophthoe falcata, another larval host

Euthalia lubentina
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 28th December 2023