Butterflies of
Thailand, Malaysia &
Borneo
Common Yamfly
Loxura atymnus
STOLL, 1780
Family -
LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
LYCAENINAE
Tribe - LOXURINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Loxura atymnus fuconius, Taman Negara, West Malaysia |
Introduction
The genus Loxura comprises of 2 very similar
species atymnus and
cassiopeia, both restricted to the Oriental region.
On the upperside of the wings
both species are bright non-metallic orange, with the apical area dark brown or
black. In cassiopeia the black also extends along
the costa as a broad band. Both species could be confused with
Yasoda pita, but on the upperside the latter has
dark brown borders on both wings, and a narrow brown diagonal streak across the
hindwings.
Loxura
atymnus is found in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,
southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Sarawak,
Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi and Bali.
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Loxura atymnus fuconius, Taman Negara, West Malaysia |
Habitats
This species can be found in primary rainforest but is more frequently
associated with disturbed or secondary forest or plantations, where is can be
seen in open sunny areas. It is often found in the vicinity of villages. It can
be found at elevations between sea level and about 300 metres, being replaced by
cassiopeia at higher levels.
Loxura atymnus atymnus,
Mumbai, India ( photo © courtesy Anand
Narkevar )
Lifecycle
The egg is dome-shaped with numerous tiny shallow depressions, and
purplish-white in colour. It is laid singly at the base of young shoots of the
foodplants which include Dioscorea ( Dioscoreaceae
), Smilax ( Smilacaceae ) and
Solanum ( Solanaceae ).
The caterpillar is slug-shaped,
shiny olive green, with whitish striations along the length of the back. There
is a reddish suffusion along the lower middle abdomen and along the middle of
the back. It feeds openly on the fleshy shoots but is extremely well
camouflaged.
Like almost all Lycaenidae
larvae it possesses a Newcomer's gland on the back, near the tail, which
secretes a sugary substance which is "milked" by ants. The ants, by their
presence offer in return a degree of protection against predators and
parasitoids.
The chrysalis is attached
vertically to a stem of the foodplant and bears a remarkable resemblance to a
partly opened leaf bud. The abdomen is bright leaf-green, with a broad band of
marbled brown along the back, either side of the thorax, and around the edges of
the wing cases.
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Loxura atymnus fuconius, Taman Negara, West Malaysia |
Adult behaviour
The butterfly is usually encountered singly, either basking with
wings held half-open on foliage, or sitting on leaves close to
the ground. I have also observed males imbibing water from wet
rocks at the edge of rivers, and have watched them expel water
from the anus onto dry rocks to dissolve minerals, which they
then imbibe.
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