HYPOLIMNAS ANTHEDON

HYPOLIMNAS ANTHEDON(Hypolimnas anthedon)

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

Genus –hypolimnas

Appearance

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

The wingspan of the Hypolimnas anthedonis 75–80 mm for males and 74–90 mm for females.It is a black butterfly with white spots on the forewings and a large yellowish-white-bluish area that occupies the entire base and middle of the hindwings. The underside of the wings is painted in the same way.

Habitat

It lives in Africa, in Madagascar.

Behavior

It demonstrates daily activity.Its flight period is year round, peaking in late summer.

Diet

The larva of Hypolimnas anthedon eat Fleurya species, Urera camerooensis, Urera camerooensis, Urtica, and Berkheya.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. Females lay 2-3eggs on the leaves of the forage plant. The eggs are round, with prominent ribs.The incubation period is 5-6 days. It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums for 6-8 insects, changing the forage plant every 3-4 days. The caterpillar develops for about 3 weeks.The temperature is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of65-75%. The pupae are dark brown. The butterflies emerge from the pupae after 15-17 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.