Junonia terea

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Junonia terea
Junonia terea in Benin

Junonia terea in Benin

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Noble butterfly (Nymphalidae)
Subfamily : Spotted butterfly (Nymphalinae)
Genre : Junonia
Type : Junonia terea
Scientific name
Junonia terea
( Druce , 1773)
Junonia terea in Northern Tanzania

Junonia terea is occurring in Africa Butterfly ( butterfly ) from the family of Nymphalidae (Nymphalidae).

description

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 50 to 55 millimeters for the males and 52 to 60 millimeters for the females. There is no sexual dimorphism . The basic color of the upper sides of the wings in both sexes is dark brown. An orange-yellow to light-yellow band extends over the discal region of the fore and hind wings, which varies in width and intensity depending on the seasonal, climatic or regional conditions. Several very small white spots stand out on the forewings near the apex . In the submarginal region of the hind wings a number of red-brown eye spots can be seen, some of which are nucleated bluish. In some forms there are very short tails at the anal angle . The undersides of the wings are creamy, light brown or gray-brown in color, show only indistinct stripes, spots and marbling and resemble a dry leaf. In Afrikaans , the species is therefore called Bos-blaarvlerk (forest leaf wing).

Similar species

Since the similarly colored and marked butterflies of Yoma sabina and Cupha prosope occur in Southeast Asia and Australia, there is no geographical overlap and therefore no risk of confusion with Junonia terea, which is native to Africa .

distribution and habitat

Asystasia gangetica , a food plant of caterpillars

Junonia terea occurs widespread in the east, south-east and central Africa. There are four subspecies . The species prefers to colonize degraded forests. However, it can also be found in the gardens and parks of large cities. In Tanzania it occurs at altitudes from sea level up to 2200 meters.

Way of life

The moths fly in several generations throughout the year, mainly in May and November. They visit flowers to take in nectar. The males also sometimes suckle on cow dung to take in fluids and minerals. Typically they patrol gliding along forest roads, in forest clearings and similar semi-open habitats, where they defend their territories against conspecifics. In English usage they are therefore called Soldier Pansy (beautiful soldier). The females lay the eggs one by one on the food plant. After hatching, the young caterpillars first eat their egg shells. After going through five stages, the caterpillars pupate. The doll is designed as a falling doll and hangs on a cushion made of silk thread on the underside of a leaf. The moths hatch after 14 to 19 days. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of Asystasia gangetica and on the acanthus family of plants, Barleria , Wasserfreunde ( Hygrophila ), Justicia and Paulowilhelmia .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Steve Woodhall: Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa , Cape Town, South Africa, Struik Publishers, 2005, ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7
  2. ↑ a b Herbert Otto: Butterflies of the Kruger National Park and Surrounds Struik Nature, 2014, ISBN 978-1-77584-310-8
  3. ↑ Markku Savela: Junonia Hübner, [1819] - distribution. In: Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved June 13, 2019 .
  4. ↑ flight times
  5. ↑ a b Mark C. Williams: Afrotropical Butterflies, Genus Junonia , 17th edition, 2018, pp. 33-38 ( http://www.metamorphosis.org.za/articlesPDF/1140/176%20Genus%20Junonia%20Huebner. pdf )

Web links

Commons : Junonia terea  - collection of images, videos and audio files