<> Nymphalis canace (Linnaeus, 1763) <>

the Blue Admiral ผีเสื้อปีกแหว่ง

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

Kaniska canace is 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: Kaniska canace, Vanessa canace, Papilio charonia, Papilio canace

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

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

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

Habitat: Kaniska canace is found in evergreen montane forest, usually near water. It has been recorded at elevations up to 3000m a.s.l. in Nepal.

Flight time: all year, depending on location Wingspan: 60–70mm

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).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty 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