This butterfly is the most common
of the four Flos species found here in Singapore. The male
is deep blue-violet above with narrow black borders. The female is
bluer with broad black borders. The underside is purple brown with
dark markings. There is a small deep red patch at the base of both
wings. There is a tail and two toothed projections on the hindwings.
The caterpillar of this species
is known to feed on Eugenia jambolana, Eugenia polycephale and Eugenia
jambos.
The butterfly is fast on the
wing and often flies restlessly. It has been encountered in the nature
reserves, feeding on the inflorescence of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma
malabathricum). |