Polyura hebe plautus

The genus Polyura consists of medium sized robust butterflies, usually with a pair of tails. All the species are spectacular and are sought after by collectors. The males can be found at damp spots or feeding on carrion. In flight, they are swift on the wing, and are difficult to capture.    The caterpillar of this species, Polyura hebe plautus, is dark green with four spiny horns on the head - almost reminiscent of a dragon.  Host plants include Albizia and Adenanthera.   The Singapore subspecies, represented by the race plautus, is different from its Malaysian cousin, Polyura hebe chersonesus, in that it possesses a broad black border on the hindwing. This photo shows a recently hatched specimen drying its wings. It is hanging onto the pupa shell.

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