<> Kaniska canace (Linnaeus, 1763) <>

the Blue Admiral ผีเสื้อปีกแหว่ง

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Photo taken at Lamnamkok National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand. 450m a.s.l.

Found in most countries across the region and even at quite high altitudes in Nepal. There is no visual difference between the sexes. Males are very territorial and will chase away any butterflies that move into their territory. Usually found in the vicinity of water and will settle with wings half open. It does however bask with wings widespread. It has a strong swift flight. Multivoltine with several broods per annum.

Synonyms and previously used names: Nymphalis canace, Vanessa canace, Papilio charonia, Papilio canace

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Nymphalinae - Kaniska - canace

Regional subspecies: K.c.benguetana (Philippines), K.c.canace (India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China), K.c.drilon (Taiwan), K.c.javanica (Indonesia), K.c.muscosa (Indonesia), K.c.perakana (Malaysia)

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

Habitat: evergreen montane forest up to 3000m a.s.l. Wingspan: 60–70mm

Flight time: all year, depending on location

Life History: the details are not fully known but egg-adult is around 38-40 days.

Larval Hosts: Smilax arisanensis, Smilax aspericaulis, Smilax bockii, Smilax bracteata, Smilax china, Smilax ferox, Smilax lanceifolia, Smilax perfoliata, Smilax riparia, Smilax sebeana, Smilax sieboldii, Smilax zeylanica (Smilacaceae), Lilium lancifolium, Streptopus amplexifolius, Tricyrtis formosana, Tricyrtis hirta (Liliaceae), Glinus oppositifolius (Molluginaceae), Dioscorea sp. (Dioscoreaceae). Hosts used depends upon location and availability of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Astilbe rivularis (Saxifragaceae), Rhododendron arboreum (Ericaceae), Buddleia asiatica (Scrophulariaceae). There may be other nectar sources yet to be recorded. Other - over-ripe fruit, tree sap, animal dung, mud puddling