Limenitis dudu

 

<> Limenitis dudu  Westwood,1850 <>

the White Commodore     ผีเสื้อแถบขาวใหญ่

 
 
 

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Neptis capnodes
Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 700m a.s.l.

Although uncommon, Limenitis dudu is fairly widespread across the whole region. Interestingly, it is not found in Penisular Malaysia although it has reached Indonesia. The sexes look similar to each other but the female is significantly larger. It has a strong gliding flight and prefers shaded areas within the forest when it is not feeding. The species is multivoltine with several broods per annum. After hatching the larvae build a fecal barrier as a method of hiding from potential predators. There is not a great deal of information available about this species and further study is needed.

Synonyms and previously used names:   Parasarpa dudu, Sumalia dudu, Limenitis dudu


Taxonomy:  Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Limenitidinae - Limenitis - dudu

Regional subspecies:    Limenitis dudu bockii (Indonesia), Limenitis dudu dudu (Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Yunnan-China), Limenitis dudu jinamitra (Taiwan), Limenitis dudu secius (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, S.China)

Regional Distribution:  India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia

Habitat:  Limenitis dudu is found in shaded areas within montane forest. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1800m a.s.l.

Flight time:  most of the year, depending on location                       Wingspan:  65-75m

Life History:   not known

Larval Hosts:  Lonicera acuminata, Lonicera confusa, Lonicera hypoglauca, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera longiflora, Lonicera macrantha (Caprifoliaceae).  Hosts used depends upon location and availability of plant species.

Adult Food Sources:  Nectar - Zanthoxylum avicennae (Rutaceae), Pleione hookeriana, Vanda cristata (Orchidaceae), Osbeckia nepalensis (Melastomataceae).  Other - mud puddling

Limenitis dudu
Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand

Osbeckia nepalensis
Osbeckia nepalensis, a nectar source

Lonicera japonica
Lonicera japonica, a larval host

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 29th April 2026