Golden Angle

Caprona ransonnetti potiphera Hewitson

HESPERIIDAE

( = Caprona ransonnetti ( Felder ))

Adult Upperside dark brown. FW with central and marginal golden yellow-brown areas having semi-transparent large and small white spots in the disc and a group of small elongate spots in the apex. HW with central yellow-brown area divided by dark veins in the wet season forms. Dry season forms much paler with extensive yellow-brown markings. Underside HW white with basal, discal and marginal rows of dark spots. Wingspan 35- 45mm.

A fast flier without sustained flight and always close to the ground. A common butterfly with angular wings in the lowland forests, seen basking on the tops of leaves, male very pugnacious, often found perching along open paths and forest edges. While perching male invariably retracts its forelegs slightly, thus exerting a prominent brush which gives it a bearded appearance. Fond of visiting damp patches and flowers.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.