Description : The upperside of the male of the Malayan Plum Judy is crimson brown and unmarked. The underside is paler and each wing has a pair of diffuse, pale-purplish post-discal bands. The outer band on the hindwing has a series of black, white-edged spots. The much paler female has a diffuse white subapical patch. In both sexes, the hindwing is prominently angled at vein 4. Habitat & habits : The Malayan Plum Judy was absent from the main island of Singapore in the 90's, being observed only on the island of Pulau Tekong. However, at the turn of the century, it appeared quite commonly on the main island around areas where its host plant, Ardisia spp. are cultivated. It is not known why or how the species appeared in numbers recently. The species has the typical behaviour of the Riodininae, often found in shaded forested areas. The butterfly has a habit of perching on leaves with half opened wings and twisting, turning and hopping from leaf to leaf. Other Observations : The species has greenish yellow eyes. Early
Stages : The caterpillar has been bred on
Ardisia elliptica. The caterpillar is light green, and has a row of
black spots along its back in the later instars. |
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