Junonia orithya

Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758)
(previously known as : Precis orithya)
Blue Argus or Blue Pansy
NYMPHALINAE , NYMPHALIDAE

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

Junonia orithya
(Photo: courtesy of Trevor Jinks, North Burnett)

The Caterpillars of this species are black with yellow dots, an orange metathorax, and an orange nose. They are are covered in branched hairs. They have been found feeding on various plants from three families such as :

Snapdragons ( Antirrhinum majus, PLANTAGINACEAE ),

Hilo Princess ( Angelonia salicariaefolia, SCROPHULARIACEAE ), and

Clock Vine ( Thunbergia alata, ACANTHACEAE ).

When not feeding, the Caterpillar rests hidden at the base of the foodplant.

The pupa is dark brown with two pale bands. It hangs by a silk cremaster on or near the foodplant.

(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, Cooroy)

The adult butterflies have black forewings with white marks, and blue hind wings. Underneath, they have a brown pattern. Each wing has two eyespots on both the upper and lower surfaces. The wingspan is about 4 cms.

mating pair
(Photo: courtesy of Trevor Jinks, North Burnett)

Various races of this species are found from Africa to the Philippines, including :

Singapore, and

Swaziland,

Thailand,
as well as albicincta in Australia in

Queensland.

Hong Kong, 1979