HYPOLIMNAS MISIPPUS

Hypolimnas misippus (Hypolimnas misippus)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — nymphalidae

Genus – hypolimnas

Appearance

The caterpillars are black, with transverse rows of branched dark gray spines. The head is orange. There are two long black horns on the head.

Males are blackish with distinctive white spots that are fringed in blue. Females are in multiple forms that include male-like forms while others closely resemble the toxic butterflies Danaus chrysippus and Danaus plexippus. Wing Span: 2 3/16 - 3 1/2 inches (5.6 - 9 cm).

Habitat

These butterflies are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In the Americas, they are found in the West Indies, with strays in Central and North America.

Behavior

It demonstrates daily activity. Males are territorial. Caterpillars live and feed communally.

Diet

Food plant – Portulaca oleracea, Asystasia lawiana.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. Females lay 2-3 eggs on the leaves of the forage plant. The eggs are round, with prominent ribs, pale green. The incubation period is 5-7 days. It is better to keep the caterpillars in mesh terrariums for 6-8 insects, changing the forage plant every 3-4 days. The caterpillar develops for about a month. The temperature is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of 55-60%. The pupae are pale brown. The butterflies emerge from the pupae after 25-30 days.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed butterflies an overripe banana or give them a few drops of honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.