Hypolimnas alimena

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Hypolimnas alimena
Hypolimnas alimena 55222064.jpg
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species:
H. alimena
Binomial name
Hypolimnas alimena
Subspecies

See text

Synonyms
  • Papilio alimenaLinnaeus, 1758
  • Papilio alimenaLinnaeus, 1764
  • Papilio porphyriaCramer, [1780]
  • Papilio velledaStoll, [1781]
  • Hypolimnas alimena f. coeliaFruhstorfer
  • Diadema polymenaC. & R. Felder, [1867]
  • Hypolimnas forbesiiButler, 1883
  • Diadema alimena var. salviniKirsch, 1885
  • Hypolimnas eremitaButler, 1883
  • Hypolimnas laminaFruhstorfer, 1903
  • Hypolimnas darwinensisWaterhouse & Lyell, 1914
  • Hypolimnas inexpectata var. kuramataRibbe, 1898
  • Hypolimnas diphridasFruhstorfer, 1912
  • Diadema fuliginensisMathew, 1887

Hypolimnas alimena, the blue-banded eggfly, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in the Solomon Islands, Indonesia (Aru Islands, Irian Jaya, Kei Islands, Maluku), New Guinea and Australia (the coast of New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Queensland). [2]

Contents

Description

The wingspan of H. alimena is 80–90 mm. The ground colour of the wings is black with a row of white dots and a blue band. [3]

These butterflies resemble closely to related species, H. bolina.The males exhibit less visually elaborate structiral coloration, as compared. The dorsal blue coloration of this butterfly has weak iridescence, and is not very bright. This is because it arises from a simpler nanosale surface structure, unlike the more complex nanoscale multilayer-arrays structure of H. bolina, which gives it a brighter sheen and saturation. [4]

Behavior

The males of this species primarily utilize a sit-and wait-strategy for locating mates. This behavior is similar to Hypolimnas bolina . However, unlike H. bolina, these males do not engage in extended aerial disputes for the territorial defence. Both of their flight morphology is strikingly similar, and does not show any significant differences in terms of strength, as is noticeable by their similar thoracic mass. Another charaecteristic shared by the two species is possessing a higher relative flight muscultaure, lower wing loading, and a lower aspect ratio, compared to their conspecific female specimens. However these traits contribute to the sexual dimorphism observed within the species, it only suggests partial match with the typical observations of sexual selection. [5]

The females show no notable preference for males with variable dorsal blue coloration and hues, unless it is completely or mostly absent. This low drive towards exaggerated visual signals is specific to this species, unlike others in the same genus. [4]

The larvae feed on Pseuderanthemum variabile , Asystasia gangetica and Graptophyllum pictum .

Subspecies

Related Research Articles

<i>Hypolimnas</i> Genus of butterflies

Hypolimnas is a genus of tropical brush-footed butterflies commonly known as eggflies or diadems. The genus contains approximately 23 species, most of which are found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. One species, the Danaid eggfly, is noted for its exceptionally wide distribution across five continents; it is the only Hypolimnas species found in the Americas.

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<i>Hypolimnas bolina</i> Species of butterfly

Hypolimnas bolina, the great eggfly, common eggfly, varied eggfly, or in New Zealand the blue moon butterfly, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found from Madagascar to Asia and Australia.

<i>Phalanta alcippe</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Apaturina</i> Monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies

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<i>Vindula arsinoe</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Cepora perimale</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Papilio euchenor</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Pachliopta polydorus</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Hypolycaena phorbas</i> Species of butterfly

Hypolycaena phorbas is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Waigeo, Biak, Roon Island, mainland New Guinea and various outlying islands as well as Australia.

<i>Nacaduba cyanea</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Hypolimnas antilope</i> Species of butterfly

Hypolimnas antilope, the spotted crow eggfly, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Malaya to the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia.

<i>Taenaris</i> Genus of butterflies

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<i>Hypolimnas anomala</i> Species of butterfly

Hypolimnas anomala, commonly known as the Malayan eggfly or crow eggfly, is a species of eggfly.

<i>Tirumala hamata</i> Species of butterfly

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<i>Jamides cyta</i> Species of butterfly

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References

  1. "Hypolimnas Hübner, [1819]" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Australian Faunal Directory
  3. butterflycorner.net
  4. 1 2 Kemp, Darrell J.; Jones, David; Macedonia, Joseph M.; Krockenberger, Andrew K. (2014-01-01). "Female mating preferences and male signal variation in iridescent Hypolimnas butterflies". Animal Behaviour. 87: 221–229. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.11.001. ISSN   0003-3472.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. Kemp, Darrell J. (2010-12-08). "Sexual selection and morphological design: the tale of two territorial butterflies". Australian Journal of Zoology. 58 (5): 289–294. doi:10.1071/ZO10060. ISSN   1446-5698.