Butterflies of
Thailand, Malaysia &
Borneo
Malay Sailor
Neptis duryodana
nesia
MOORE, 1858
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe -
NEPTINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Neptis
duryodana nesia,
Gopeng, West Malaysia |
Introduction
The Sailors, or Gliders as they are sometimes called, are all
members of the genus Neptis - a
large and confusing group of butterflies found across much of
the world, excluding the Americas. They are noted for
their characteristic sailing flight, and their shared theme of white
spots and bars on a black background. They are closely allied to
Pantoporia, in which the white
markings are replaced by orange; and to
Athyma which look like Neptis
but have more triangular forewings.
The genus
Neptis comprises of about 170
species, of which
at least 65
occur in Africa,
40+ in the Palaearctic region ( Europe, and Asia north of the
Himalayas ), 6 in Australia / New Guinea, and about 50 in the
Oriental region. About 16-18 of the latter are found in
Malaysia. Distinguishing the species involves careful study of
the configuration of the white spots, bars and submarginal lines
on both wing surfaces.
Neptis duryodana is found in West
Malaysia, Sumatra, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Java and
Palawan.
Habitats
This species is found in forested habitats at elevations between
sea level and about 500 metres. It is found in both primary and
secondary forest, frequenting sunlit glades and forest edge
habitats.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle appears to be unrecorded but will be similar to
that of other Neptis species - the
egg will be placed at the very tip of a leaf of the foodplant,
on the upper surface. It will be pale green, globular, and
covered in a network of hexagonal ridges from which arise 100 or
more tiny spikes, giving it the appearance of a tiny sea urchin.
The caterpillar will spend it's early instars hiding in a curled
up dead leaf from which it will periodically venture out to
feed. The larval foodplants of duryodana
are unknown, but in common with other
Neptis species it will probably be polyphagous. The
chrysalis will resemble a withered leaf, and will be suspended
by the cremaster from a leaf or stem on or near the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
Like all
Neptis species, this butterfly is
best appreciated when on the wing, as it sails gently, riding on
thermals, with periods of gliding punctuated by occasional sharp
wing beats. The Malay Sailor flies with meticulous precision,
gliding in circles as it weaves its way in and out through the
foliage and branches.
Both sexes
periodically alight to bask on the foliage of trees and bushes,
or on the ground. Males sometimes imbibe moisture from damp
ground, but like the females they are more often seen nectaring
at flowers.
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