Gray Pansy on a dried up banana leaf

Description
Wingspan of 55-65 mm. A medium sized light gray butterfly with darker coloured wing margins. The sexes are similar. The upperside is marked with a row of post-median ocelli on both wings. There is a series of short wavy bands hanging off the costal margin of the forewing. The underside ground color is much paler, and the hind wing has an oblique line running across the wing. The markings and the intensity of colour on the  undersides of this butterfly are quite variable; the dry season forms showing the lightest colour and fewest markings.

Similar species
None.

Status, distribution and habitat
Though widely distributed in the island, it is a much more habitat specific species than the other pansies, inhabiting areas in the vicinity of water such as rice fields, canals, tanks and marshy areas. It is not plentiful but may be found throughout the year and is the least common of the pansies. It is seldom seen above 2500 feet elevation and is noticeably absent from the north of the island

Habits
Its behavior is very similar to that of the other pansies except in egg laying. It will often lay eggs on plants above the waterline in rice fields or open water bodies. The larvae are capable of surviving a rise in water levels by moving to high ground or other host plants nearby with relative ease. Like the other pansies, it joins migratory flights.

Early stages
The larvae feed on members of the Acanthaceae such as Asteracantha longifolia and Barleria spp.

Previous  |  Next

Danaidae | Satyridae | Amathusiidae | Nymphalidae | Acraeidea | Libytheidae | Riodinidae | Lycaenidae | Pieridae | Papilionidae | Hesperidae