Cethosia hypsea hypsina
Malay Lacewing
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Subfamily: | Heliconiinae |
Genus | Cethosia |
Species: | hypsea |
Subspecies: | hypsina |
Common Name: | Malay Lacewing |
Life History: | complete |
Extant in countries: | •Singapore |
Hostplants: |
Description
The Malay Lacewing is a very pretty butterfly. It is bright orange-red above with broad black borders. The wings are scalloped, giving the hindwings an almost sawtooth-like appearance. The undersides are orange-red with white fasciae and are spotted with black forming an intricate pattern which probably gives the origin of its name "Lacewing".
Habitat & Habits
The butterfly is quite common in the nature reserves and can be found fluttering around flowering bushes like Prickly Lantana (Lantana camara) and the Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta indica) as shown in the photos.
The wine red caterpillar has long spines and is known to feed on Passion Fruit vine (Adenia spp.).
Other Observations
To be detailed.
Early Stages
Refer to the Butterflycircle's blog article - Life History of the Malay Lacewing.
Further Reading
Butterfly of the Month - December 2007