Butterflies of
Thailand, Malaysia &
Borneo
Malay Puffin
Appias cardena
HEWITSON, 1861
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily - PIERINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Appias
cardena perakana,
Bukit Tapah,
West Malaysia |
Introduction
There is a certain amount of conjecture among entomologists
regarding the classification of Appias.
Some consider that the South American species
drusilla, and the African
sylvia and
lasti belong in this genus, while others prefer to place
them in Glutophrissa. Disregarding
those, there are about
23-28 species
that are currently accepted as members of
Appias, comprising 7-8 species from the Australian
region, and 16-20 from the Oriental region. The estimates vary
because of uncertainties about the status of some taxa which are
variously regarded as either true species or subspecies.
Appias cardena is one of the 9
species found in peninsular Malaysia. Like most other
Appias species it is white on the
upperside, with dark markings on the outer area of the wings.
The dark veins on the underside distinguish it from other
members of the genus.
Habitats
This species is normally found in disturbed forest habitats at
altitudes from sea level to about 500 metres, but during
migrations it will fly over mountain passes as high as 2000
metres.
Lifecycle
I have no data regarding cardena,
but the larvae of other Appias
species, e.g. lyncida and
albina are green, with a pair of
anal points. They feed on Capparis.
Adult behaviour
Males are
generally encountered singly,
among aggregations of Pierinae and Leptocircini, imbibing
mineralised moisture from damp sand in semi-shaded conditions in
open forest. Females are seen less frequently but can sometimes
be found nectaring at flowers along forest paths or roadsides.
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