Butterflies of the Indian
subcontinent
Spotted Pierrot
Tarucus callinara
BUTLER, 1886
Family -
LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
POLYOMMATINAE
Tribe - POLYOMMATINI
Tarucus
callinara,
male, Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
Introduction
There are about 24 species in the genus
Tarucus. The majority are Oriental in distribution,
with 8 species occuring in India, and 5 in south-east Asia. There are also 11
species in Africa, of which 2 extend their ranges into southern Europe.
Tarucus
callinara is found in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Burma and Thailand.
Tarucus
callinara,
female, Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
Habitats
This is a common species found in open habitats including
forest edges and clearings, dry woodland, pastures, flowery gardens and
beach hinterlands.
Tarucus
callinara,
male, Weligaththa, Sri Lanka
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants appear to be unrecorded. The foodplants of related
Tarucus species include
Zizyphus, Paliurus, Phylica ( Rhamnaceae ),
Loranthus, ( Loranthaceae ) and
Eugenia ( Myrtaceae ). Some species are known to be
associated with Crematogaster ants.
Adult behaviour
In cloudy weather conditions both sexes bask on low herbage,
with their wings held half open. Both sexes commonly nectar at
Tridax and many other low growing flowers, walking
about in tight circles on the flowerheads as they feed. Males often imbibe
mineralised moisture from rocks, stones or damp patches of ground. When feeding,
the butterflies always hold their wings erect.
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