Blue Pansy

Blue Pansy

Precis orithya ( Linnaeus ) NYMPHALIDAE

Adult

Upperside male FW basal two thirds black and apex pale brown with white transverse bands. HW predominantly bright blue ( hence the common name ). Both wings with 2 orange-ringed ocelli each. Female larger, pale almost light brown. Blue markings in the HW slight and orange-ringed spots bigger than in male. Underside grayish brown with white markings and wavy lines. Ocelli visible in FW only. Wingspan 40-60mm.

One of the prettiest of Indian Butterflies, found throughout the country but more in dry open plains than in forests. Very active during the hottest part of the day. Dry river beds and stony paths are its favorite habitats. On the wing throughout the year in the plains but at higher elevations found only during April – October.

Visits the flowers of Aztec Marigold, Bachelor’s button, Lantana, Lucerne, Heliotrope, Vicoa vestita, Celosia pyramidalis etc.

Larva

Dark shining purple – brown, with orange spots and 2 spines. Body with white-spotted double dorsal stripe, 2 lateral yellow stripes and short spines.

Feeds on Sweet potato, Striga, Snapdragon, Ruellia prostrata, Amaranthus, Glory bind, Starhorn, Justicia micrantha, J quinquangularis, J. procumbens, etc.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Arabia, Africa, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Hongkong, Taiwan, Japan and Australia