Description

There are around 400 species of Leafwings most of which found in tropics. India has about 16 sp. belonging to subfamily Charaxinae, family Nymphalidae. These butterflies are well known for their robust bodies, fast flight and cryptic designs. The habit of fast flight is developed to evade predators such as birds. All Charaxinae exhibit other similar characteristics apart from morphological adaptations. The common food source for most larvae is dicotyledonous plants. The adults frequent wet rocks, dung, animal scat and rotting fruits rather than flowers unlike other butterflies to drink the liquid food. The larvae of Charaxes show a typical head capsule that are four divergent curved fleshy processes which gives them a crown like appearance. The larvae are also known to make larval beds to rest on it during night hours.

Location