Dark BlueTiger

Dark BlueTiger

Tirumala septentrionis dravidarum Fruhstorfer

DANAIDAE

( Danaus Melissa ( Cramer ))

Photo : Amber Habib

Adult

Upperside black with pale blue markings. Similar to the Blue Tiger. T.limniace exoticus but with narrower and darker markings. HW with a characteristic wish-bone marking in the cell, formed by 2 white streaks joined at the base.

Underside darker than in T.limniace exoticus but without the golden brown tinge. Wingspan 80-105mm.

A common butterfly in the hills of South India, up to 2700 m. Active throughout the year but common at low elevations during wet weather, frequently appearing in vast swarms. In the Himalayas, occurs below 2700 m during autumn and spring. A slow flier and a common migrant, especially in South India. Visits flowers of Fabaceae.

Larva

White with 2 pairs of fleshy tentacles and black rings. Feeds on Vallaris glabra, V. solanacea, Dregea volubilis, etc.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, china, Taiwan, Australia, new Guinea and the pacific Islands.