Joker

Joker

Byblia ilithyia ( Drury ) NYMPHALIDAE

Adult

Upperside bright brown to deep orange with narrow black streaks, bands, bars and spots in both wings; markings dark brown in female. Underside pale orange with white/ cream and light / dark brown edged bands. Outer half, light violet with spots and streaks in both wings. Wingspan 45-55mm.

An inhabitant of dry, open , grassy plains thoughout the drier parts of south India and further north up to Madhya Pradesh and Kutch in the west. Usually found around hedges of the common nettle, its larval plant. Seen basking low down near the ground on leaves with expanded wings.

Larva

Green with dorsal longitudinal yellow stripe. Head with a pair of long and erect, branched spines and segments each with dorsal and lateral, small black, branched spines.

Feeds on nettles, dalechampia, tragia cannabina etc.

Distribution

India, Srilanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, South east Arabia and East Africa.