Thursday, July 17, 2014

Nilgiri Tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica)

Rather uncommon butterfly occurs from lowlands to mid-hills. Males often settle on damp earth and stream beds. It flies close to the ground and flight similar to much common White Four-Ring (Ypthima ceylonica). So it can be often mistaken for it and thus ignored. Its larval host plants are orchid species such as Arundina graminifoliaThrixspermum pulchellum, Arachnis flos-aeris, Malaxis versicolor, Spathoglottis plicata (Philippine Ground Orchid)Vanda tessellata and Vanda testacea. Its larva also fed on Cymbidium aloifolium in the lab when offered.

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