Butterflies of the Indian
subcontinent
Indian Tortoiseshell
Aglais
caschmirensis
KOLLAR, 1844
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe -
Aglais
caschmirensis
Darjeeling, India
© Haraprasan Nayak
Introduction
There are 6 species in the genus
Aglais, which some workers now consider to be a
subgenus within Nymphalis. The
Aglais are distinct from
Nymphalis in being somewhat smaller in wingspan, and with brighter and
more contrasty markings, but the basic wing pattern and colours are very
similar.
The most well known and widespread member
of the genus is the Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae,
which
occurs across the whole of Europe and most of temperate Asia,
but does not occur south of the Himalayan mountains.
There are 3 species found in
Himalaya.
Aglais ladakensis and rizana
are restricted to the western Himalayas, while the illustrated species
caschmirensis has a wider distribution, being found across the foothills
of the Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet.
Habitats
This species is found in the foothills of the Himalaya, at
altitudes between about 1000-4800m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is Urtica ( Urticaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Both sexes feed avidly at the nectar of wild and cultivated
flowers. Early or late in the day when temperatures are cool they bask on bare
ground, or on rocks, with their wings fully outspread. In very warm conditions
they settle on soil, and hold their wings erect.
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