Apaturina erminea (Cramer, [1779])
 APATURINAE ,   NYMPHALIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

Apaturina erminea
(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

These Caterpillars are thought to feed on :

  • Celtis latifolia ( ULMACEAE ).

    The adult butterfly of this species is black with an iridescent blue-green patch at the base of each forewing, and a large blue iridescent patch on each hindwing. There is a diagonal band of pale spots across each forewing and two white spots at each forewing apex. Each hindwing has an eyespot.

    Apaturina erminea
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

    The undersides are similar but with no iridescence. The butterflies have a wingspan of about 7 cms.

    Apaturina erminea
    Guinea Bissau     1984

    The butterflies have been observed feeding on various liquids, including sap, rotting fruits, and even bird droppings.

    Apaturina erminea
    Papua New Guinea     1966

    This species is found as various subspecies in

  • Indonesia,
  • New Guinea,
  • Solomons,
    and rarely on
  • the Cape York Peninsula in Australia.

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby,
    Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 2, p. 533.

    G.A. Wood,
    First record of Apaturina erminea (Cramer) (Lepidoptera:Nymphalidae) from Australia, Australian Entomological Magazine, Volume 8 (1981), p. 1.

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    (updated 28 January 2010)