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Euripus nyctelius euploeoides
Courtesan
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Subfamily: | Apaturinae |
| Genus | Euripus |
| Species: | nyctelius |
| Subspecies: | euploeoides |
| Common Name: | Courtesan |
| Wingspan: | 50-70 mm |
| Status: | Endangered |
| Life History: | complete |
| Extant in countries: | •Thailand •Malaysia •Singapore |
| Hostplants: |
Description
This species displays a striking instance of sexual dimorphism. In the male, the forewing is deep bluish black, with cellular, discal, postdiscal and submarginal series of white spots and there is a long narrow bluish white streak in the basal half of space 1b. The hindwing is white with the veins heavily blackened. There are two female forms, both of which resemble the Magpie Crow (Euploea radamanthus radamanthus).
Habitat & Habits
To be detailed.
Other Observations
To be detailed.
Early Stages
Refer to the ButterflyCircle's blog article - The Life History of the Courtesan.
Further Reading
Butterfly of the Month - August 2008
DISTRIBUTION: Northern India through South East Asia to the Philippines.
THREATS: Loss of habitat and host plants.
CONSERVATION MEASURES: The preservation of its preferred habitats and its host plant (Trema tomentosa) would be critical to this species' continued survival in Singapore.
Early Stages Photos
