<> Melanocyma faunula Westwood,1850 <>
the Pallid Faun ผีเสื้อดงปีกใส
Click on any photo to see large version
Photo taken at Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Krabi, Thailand. 100m a.s.l.
Limited distribution, 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. Multivoltine with several broods per annum.
Synonyms and previously used names: Faunis faunula, Thaumantis faunula, Clerome faunula
Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Morphinae - Melanocyma - faunula
Regional Distribution: Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia
Habitat: dense forest near streams up to 1500m a.s.l. Wingspan: 65-90mm
Flight time: most of the year depending on location
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 approximate.
Larval Hosts: Orania sylvicola (Arecaceae), grass sp. (Poaceae). There may be more that have yet to be recorded and hosts used depends upon location and availability of plant species.
Adult Food Sources: Nectar - not known to feed on nectar. Other - rotten fruit
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| Krabi, Thailand |
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| Orania sylvicola, a larval host |
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