Black Rajah

Black Rajah

Charaxes solon ( Fabricius ) NYMPHALIDAE

Adult

Upperside blackish brown or black. Both wings with a transverse yellow band; the band in FW broken into 7 or 8 spots and sub-terminal series of smaller yellow spots. In addition, FW with 2 yellow sub-basal spots and HW with a terminal series of yellow spots, ending in a large, bluish green spot at the tornal angle and with 2 tails. Underside dark grey. Basal area dull grey with black spots and lines in both wings and outer area purplish grey. Discal band white. Both wings with a series of dark marginal yellow spots ( subterminal in FW; subterminal and terminal in HW ) in addition, FW with 2 terminal white spots near the tornal angle and HW with a subterminal series of white spots and terminal black line. Wingspan 70-80mm.

A strong and actively flying butterfly with wider distribution, especially abundant at low elevations wherever tamarind, its host plant, is distributed. Settles always high up and difficult to locate because of protective colouration. Attracted to ripe fruits and palm juices. Male found in the vicinity of water.

Larva

Dark green or bluish green. Head with 4 red tipped spines. Body sub-cylindrical with large black spotted white circular mark on segment 7 and pale yellow dotted lateral line. Feeds on Tamarind.

Distribution

Throughout Oriental region.