<> Melanocyma faunula Westwood,1850 <>
the Pallid Faun ผีเสื้อดงปีกใส
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Photo taken at Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Krabi, Thailand. 100m a.s.l.
The distribution of Melanocyma faunula is limited, mainly in the warmer parts of the region although strangely it is also recorded in Bhutan. It can be locally common. The sexes are similar in appearance. It is a shade-loving and timid species that is usually found in dense forest near streams. It usually flies fairly low amongst low vegetation and its flight is slow and gentle.
The species is multivoltine with several broods per annum. Eggs are laid in batches of 20-80 eggs. The larvae are gregarious.
Synonyms and previously used names: Faunis faunula, Thaumantis faunula, Clerome faunula
Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Satyrinae - Melanocyma - faunula
Regional subspecies: Melanocyma faunula faunula (S.Thailand, W.Malaysia), Melanocyma faunula faunuloides (Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar), Melanocyma faunula kimurai (SE Thailand, Cambodia)
Regional Distribution: Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia
Habitat: Melanocyma faunula is found in dense forest, usually near streams. It has been recorded up to 1500m a.s.l. but is more often found at lower elevations.
Flight time: most of the year depending on location Wingspan: 65-90mm
Life History: egg 11 days instar 1 6 days instar 2 6-8 days instar 3 6-8 days instar 4 7 days instar 5 8-11 days pupa 14-16 days Total egg to adult 58-67 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season.
Larval Hosts: Orania sylvicola (Arecaceae). Melanocyma faunula is believed to rely solely on this species of palm as its host.
Adult Food Sources: Nectar - believed to feed on low-growing flowers but no records of specific plant species have been made. Other - rotten fruit, tree sap
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| Khao Phanom Bencha N.P., Krabi, Thailand |
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| Orania sylvicola, the larval host |
Links to other pages in this series for species in the same subfamily
Melanocyma faunula
Ypthima baldus
