Butterflies of
the Indian subcontinent
Lemon
Pansy
Junonia lemonias
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - JUNONIINI
Junonia lemonias,
Bundala, Sri Lanka
Introduction
The genus
Junonia comprises about 33 species, of which 11 occur in
the Oriental region, including 6 in the Indian subcontinent -
lemonias, orithya,
hierta,
iphita, atlites and
almana.
Junonia lemonias is distributed from
India to China. It is found in Kedawi ( northern Malaysia ) but
does not extend further south.
Habitats
This is a common
species found in a wide variety of lowland habitats ranging from
disturbed areas of rainforest, to arid acacia thorn scrub. It
commonly occurs in gardens, parks and wasteland.
Junonia lemonias,
Bundala, Sri Lanka
Lifecycle
The larval
foodplants include Asteracantha,
Nelsonia,
Lepidagathis, Sida and
Goldfussia.
Junonia lemonias,
Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
Adult behaviour
The butterflies
are usually seen in two's and three's, either basking on low
foliage, or nectaring at wild or garden flowers.
Junonia lemonias,
Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
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