Butterflies of the Indian
subcontinent
Common Leopard
Phalanta
phalantha
DRURY, 1773
Family -
NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
HELICONIINAE
Tribe - VAGRANTINI
Phalanta phalantha
Bundala, Sri Lanka
Introduction
The genus Phalanta
comprises of 6 species, popularly known as Leopards.
There are 2
species in the Oriental region - alcippe,
and phalantha.
Phalanta
phalantha is the commonest and most widespread member of the genus. It is
distributed from s.w. Arabia, eastward from India to China and Japan, and south
to the Philippines, most of the south-east Asian islands, and northern
Australia. It also occurs across sub-Saharan Africa from Gambia to Ethiopia, and
south to South Africa and Madagascar.
Habitats
This is primarily a butterfly of Acacia thorn scrub and
savannah / woodland habitats, but can also be found in clearings within tropical
and subtropical rainforest. It's migratory nature also takes it to coastal
grasslands, city parks, gardens and many other habitats. It can be found at
altitudes from sea level to at least 1500m.
Lifecycle
The larvae feed on several genera of Flacourtiaceae including
Aberia, Dovyalis,
Flacourtia, Oncoba,
Scolopia, Trimeria and
Xylosma. Other less commonly used foodplants
include Ixora ( Rubiaceae ),
Gymnosporia, Maytenus ( Celastraceae ),
Petalostigma ( Euphorbiaceae ),
Smilax ( Smilacaceae ),
Viola ( Violaceae ), and
Salix ( Salicaceae ).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually seen in two's and three's in
fairly open areas. Males sometimes imbibe moisture from
damp sand along riverbanks, but are more strongly attracted to patches of urine,
and to dung.
Phalanta phalantha
Bundala, Sri Lanka
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