Lexias dirtea merguia
This species looks and behaves exactly like The Archduke
(Lexias
pardalis dirteana). The only differentiating characteristic between
the two species is the colouration of the antenna. In Lexias dirtea
merguia, the apical topside of the antennae is black, whilst they
are orange in Lexias pardalis dirteana. Both species have the undersides
of the antenna coloured orange.
The males and females of both species cannot be distinguished
when in flight. The species, like its lookalike, exhibits sexual
dimorphism ** where the female is dark
brown with yellow spots on both wings whiles the males are black with greenish
blue wing margins.
It is also attracted by rotting fruit and can be found
feeding greedily on these fruits on the forest floor. This particular female
was photographed feeding on some fallen fruits in the nature reserves.
** A Story of Sexual Dimorphism as told by
Chin Fah Shin in Chin's Nature Corner
Next Species