Neocheritra amrita amrita (Grand Imperial)

The Grand Imperial is rare, and on Singapore island, mostly individuals are observed.  In the male, the upper surface is a shining blue with the apical areas black bordered.  The female is dark brown above with black and white markings on the tornal area of the hindwings.  On the undersides, the forewing and the costal half of the hindwing are orange, with the rest of the hindwings white with black markings.  The species is remarkable in that its long white tails are usually as long as the fore- and hindwings.  The tails trail elegantly behind the butterfly as it flies. The Grand Imperial has recently been found at one of Singapore's offshore islands, Pulau Tekong, and is rather common on the island, where up to five individuals were seen in one morning.  The female appears to be the commoner sex.

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