| Zeuxidia amethystus amethystus
(The Saturn) |
 The
Saturn is a medium sized butterfly, usually with a wingspan of 50-55mm.
The males are black above, with a broad iridescent blue discal band on
the forewing with a large tornal patch of the same colour on the hindwing.
In the female, the blue is replaced with a pale yellow fascia and dull
orange on the apical area of the hindwings.
The Saturn is a common butterfly along jungle paths, usually feeding on fallen fruits on the forest floor. The cryptic undersides camouflages it very well, amongst the dead leaves and twigs. Very often, as one walks along the paths, the butterfly springs up from the ground as it is disturbed and very quickly flies away. The species is partial to rotting fruit, e.g. papaya, guava or pineapple, and will come quite readily to the bait. This picture was taken of a male which is feeding on rotting pineapple bait. |
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