Chinese Lemon Pansy

August 23, 2023

Junonia lemonias lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) പുള്ളിക്കുറുമ്പൻ

Malayalam Name	:	പുള്ളിക്കുറുമ്പൻ
Order	:	Lepidoptera
Super Family	:	Papilionoidae (Butterflies)
Family	:	Nympalidae
Sub Family	:	Nymphalinae

DISTRIBUTION

The species found in South Asia and South East Asia.

STATUS:

Common

HABITAT

HABITS

It exists in two distinct adult forms, which differ chiefly in the patterns on the underside of the wings; the dry-season form has few markings, while the wet-season form has additional eyespots and lines.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 54–62 mm and exhibits seasonal polyphenism. t is brown with numerous eyespots as well as black and lemon-yellow spots and lines on the upperside of the wings. The underside is a dull brown, with a number of wavy lines and spots in varying shades of brown and black. There is also an eyespot on the lower side of the forewing. The wet- and dry-season forms differ considerably in coloration and even shape. In the wet-season form the markings are distinct and vivid and the wing shape is a little more rounded. In the dry-season form the markings are obscure and pale especially on the underside and the wing margin is more angular and jagged. This helps it camouflage in the dried leaf litter.
The lemon pansy is a very active butterfly and can be seen basking with its wings open facing the sun. It sits very low to the ground and can be approached easily. It feeds with its wings half open. It is a fairly strong flier and flies close to the ground with rapid wingbeats and often returns to settle back in the same spots

SIMILAR SPECIES

LARVAL HOST PLANTS

Barleria spp., Hygrophila auriculata, Hygrophila costata, Justicia neesii, Lepidagathis cuspidata, L. keralensis, Justicia procumbens, Nelsonia canescens (Acanthaceae), Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae), Corchorus capsularis, Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae).

LIFE CYCLE