Butterflies of the Indian
subcontinent
Common Pierrot
Castalius
rosimon
FABRICIUS, 1775
Family -
LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
POLYOMMATINAE
Tribe - POLYOMMATINI
Castalius
rosimon,
Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
Introduction
There are 3 species in the genus
Castalius, all found in the Oriental region. A
number of additional species found in Africa have now been moved from
Castalius into Tuxentius and
Zintha.
Castalius
rosimon is found from India and Sri Lanka to Thailand, West Malaysia,
Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Java, Bali and Timor.
Habitats
This is a common species found in forest glades, open habitats including
forest edges and clearings, open dry woodland, and flowery gardens.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is
Zizyphus jujuba ( Rhamnaceae ).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually seen singly, or in two's and
three's.
In cloudy weather conditions both sexes bask on low herbage,
with their wings held half open. In sunny conditions they nectar at
Tridax and other low growing flowers, holding their wings erect.
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