Peacock Pansy

Peacock Pansy

Precis almana almana ( Linnaeus) NYMPHALIDAE

Adult

Upperside light yellowish brown with 2 ocelli each in both wings; that near apex of HW large, having 2 white spots in peacock background and surrounded by yellow and black rings ( hence the common name ) FW with dark costal bars and both wings with brown wavy margins. Underside leaflike, brownish in male and yellowish in female ; ocelli more prominent in female during dry season. Wingspan 60-65mm.

Most common butterfly in our country. Found basking during early morning in sunny patches, often surrounded by darker shady areas when it appears like an orange-faced Owl, thus scaring away potential invertebrate predators. Like other pansies, highly territorial in behaviour and often chases away intruders. Visits flowers of Aztec Marigold, lantana, land caltrops, etc.

Larva

Smoky black with orange neck and black tipped light orange spines and minute hairs covering the body.

Feeds on starthorn, white barleria, bluebell barleria, common gloxinia, rice (?), Osbeckia chinensis, O.crinata, O.cupularis, Mimulus gracilis, Auriculata, etc.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, china, hongkong, Taiwan and the lesser sunda lslands.