Hestina assimilis

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Hestina assimilis
Hestia assimilis 2 CRW 5254-16.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hestina
Species:
H. assimilis
Binomial name
Hestina assimilis

Hestina assimilis, the red ring skirt, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae found in Asia. It is generally of large size. There are several subspecies: H. a. assimilis, H. a. formosana (Moore, H. a. shirakii (Shirozu, 1955), and H. a. f. nigrivena (Leech). [1]

Contents

Range

In Kanagawa

H. assimilis is found from eastern Tibet to most of China, in Hong Kong and in Korea. [2] Originally, this butterfly inhabited the subtropical regions of southern China, Taiwan, and Japan south of Kagoshima Prefecture, but now, due to global warming, its distribution range in the Japanese archipelago has expanded to the north, and it has even appeared in the Kanto region, in the central part of Honshu, Japan. It is now commonly seen in urban areas of Kanagawa, Tokyo, and Saitama Prefectures in Japan, and its breeding range is expanding.

Behavior

H. assimilis often uses its long proboscis to probe in muddy soil or gravel to get the moisture it needs. [3] The male is strongly territorial, always staying in high positions to defend its territory.

In a residential area in midwestern Saitama, Japan, 2019. akaboshigomadara Hestina assimilis 20190927120054 ed1.jpg
In a residential area in midwestern Saitama, Japan, 2019.

References

  1. "Hestina Westwood, [1850]" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Butterflies of the World, H. L. Lewis, (C) 1973, Lionel Leventhal Ltd.
  3. "Butterflies and Moths Photo Gallery - Hestina assimilis formosana". Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2009-10-26.