Peacock Pansy

Description
A small to medium sized orange butterfly with large eyespots on the upper side of hind wings, and smaller ones on the forewing. The sexes are similar in colour and pattern. The females is usually larger. The short wavy black bands that emanate from the costal margins are distinctive. The under side is variable. Some specimens have very small markings against a light ground colour, while others have more prominent eyes and richer colors.

Similar species
None.

Status, distribution and habitat
A widely distributed species that is found all over the the island but is scarce at elevations above 3000 feet. This is an edge species and can be seen around rice fields more frequently than at any other location. It may be seen almost year round though its numbers peak only during the monsoons.

Habits
Its habits are very similar to the Chocolate Soldier or Lemon Pansy and it joins migratory flights. The large eyes are displayed suddenly when the butterfly opens its wings - this unexpected visual signal presumably confuses the predator and takes it by surprise. 

Early stages
The larvae feed on plants of the Acanthaceae.

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