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Hypolimnas bolina jacintha
| Family Name: | Nymphalidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Butterfly and Moth) |
| Common Name: | Jacintha Eggfly |
Name
Description
| Size | 65 mm to 70 mm |
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| Description | The Jacintha Eggfly is a subspecies of the Great Eggfly, and shares the same species name of bolina under the binomial naming system. It is, however, interesting to note that the subspecies jacintha is the more commonly bred butterfly in commercial Butterfly Parks in the region. Both share the same local host plant - Common Asystasia (Asystasia gangetica), which is an abundant weed which sprouts up wherever there is a patch of untended green. The males of Jacintha Eggfly appear very similar to the Great Eggfly on the uppersides, featuring four blue-edged white patches on the fore and hindwings. The females however, are distinctly different where the submarginal white markings on the hindwings of the female are more pronounced and there are splashes of iridescent blue spots on an otherwise dark blue forewings. The most distinguishing characteristic to separate the two subspecies is the wider and thicker submarginal band on the hindwings in the Jacintha Eggfly. In the Great Eggfly, the markings are usually smaller and distinctly V-shaped and separate. However, due to the variability and many forms of both subspecies, this characteristic should be validated further with breeding experiments. |
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Host Plant: Asystasia gangetica spp. micrantha |
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Photos
References
| References | Khew, S.K. 2010. A field guide to the butterflies of Singapore. Singapore: Ink On Paper Communications Pte Ltd. 342pp |
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