<> Symbrenthia lilaea (Hewitson,1864) <>

the Common Jester ผีเสื้อลายตลกธรรมดา

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Photo taken at Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 540m a.s.l.

Symbrenthia lilaea is widely distributed across the region and is very common in places. Both sexes are similar in colour, markings, and size. Usually most active near streams but rarely seen in large groups. The species is multivoltine with several broods per annum.

Synonyms and previously used names: Papilio lucina, Symbrenthia daruka, Symbrenthia khasiana, Laogona lilaea

Taxonomy: Animalia - Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Nymphalidae - Nymphalinae - Symbrenthia - lilaea

Regional subspecies: Symbrenthia lilaea khasiana (NE India), S.lilaea lilaea (N.Thailand), S.lilaea luciana (S.Thailand), S.lilaea utakata (Indonesia)

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

Habitat: Symbrenthia lilaea is found in evergreen montane forest, very often near streams. It has been recorded at elevations up to 2400m a.s.l.

Flight time: most of the year, depending on location Wingspan: 45-55mm

Life History: not fully known but total egg to adult period is possibly around 26-30 days.

Larval Hosts: Boehmeria densiflora, Boehmeria nivea, Boehmeria sieboldiana, Boehmeria virgata, Boehmeria zollingeriana, Debregeasia longifolia, Debregeasia orientalis, Debregeasia saeneb, Girardinia diversifolia, Gonostegia triandra, Oreocnide frutescens, Oreocnide pedunculata, Pouzolzia sanguinea (Urticaceae). Hosts used depends upon location and availability of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Bidens pilosa, Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae), Mangifera sp. (Anacardiaceae), Berberis asiatica (Berberidaceae). Other - mud puddling, tree sap, rotting fruit