Butterflies of the Indian
subcontinent
Common Baron
Euthalia
aconthea
HEWITSON, 1874
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe -
ADOLIADINI
Euthalia aconthea
Mumbai, India
© Anand Narkevar
Introduction
There are about 55 species in
the genus Euthalia, divided into
several sub-groups with differing adult characteristics.
Euthalia aconthea is the "type"
species of the aconthea group, all
members of which are sexually dimorphic. The males of several
species in this group e.g. ipona
and mahedeva, have broad bands of
metallic blue or green on the outer hindwings, although
aconthea itself is an exception to
this generalisation. Females in the
aconthea group are larger, paler,
and in some species are beautifully patterned with greyish steaks and chevrons.
Again, aconthea itself is an
exception, being similar in pattern to the male, but with a
lighter, warmer ground colour.
Euthalia aconthea is distributed from India and Sri Lanka
to Thailand, Malaysia, south China and the Philippines. It is
also found in Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali and Lombok.
Habitats
This is a lowland species found in rainforest habitats. It can
also be found in gardens and orchards where it's foodplants are grown.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include mango Mangifera and
cashew Anacardium ( Anacardiaceae ); and also
Scurrula ( Loranthaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Males visit damp patches to imbibe mineralised moisture, and
also attend dung, carrion and fallen fruits on the forest floor.
Females are usually seen deep in the forest, basking on leaves
in areas of dappled sunlight. The egg-laying behaviour is interesting to watch.
In Taman Negara ( Malaysia ) I watched a female settle on a leaf, where she
spent a few moments basking. She then slowly and slightly awkwardly walked
backwards, edging herself to the very tip of the leaf, and while still keeping
her wings fully outspread, curved her abdomen under the leaf to deposit a single
egg.
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