 The
Peacock Royal is one of three species of the genus Tajuria which
can be found in Singapore in recent years. It is the most frequently
encountered of the genus. Its caterpillar feeds on Loranthus and
Dendropthoe,
parasitic plants which grow on mature trees. The butterfly is a fast-flyer,
but is often found feeding at flowering bushes and trees. The upperside
of the male is a beautiful royal blue with a broad black apical border
on the forewing. The female is a light pale blue with a series of
black post-discal striae. The underside is a silvery grey with post
discal series of dark striae on both wings. The tornal spots are
orange-crowned and both sexes possess two pairs of tails.
The caterpillar is dark brown
with irregular pinkish grey areas between the shoulders and waist.
The pupa is attached by the cremaster and is suspended head downwards. |
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