House of Butterflies - The Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana)

 

This instar lasts for 2-3 days, and the body length reaches up to 25mm.

Life History of the Peacock Pansy

LIfe History of the Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana)

Butterfly Biodata:

Genus: Junonia Hübner, 1819

Species: almana Linnaeus, 1758

Subspecies: javana C. Felder, 1862

Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 40-55mm

Caterpillar Local Host Plant: Ruellia repens (Acanthaceae)

A Peacock Pansy displaying its upperside.

A Peacock Pansy on a leaf perch

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly: 

Above, the wings are rich yellowish brown with darker brown edges at both termen and costal margins. On each of the forewings, there are four distinct costal bars, the outermost three of which are filled with darker shadings. There is a prominent ``peacock'' eye-spot in space 2 near the tornal area, and a lesser one in space 5. On each hindwing, a much larger and more prominent eye-spot is featured in spaces 5-6 near the apex. The termens of both fore- and hindwings are marked by two series of marginal striae. Underneath, the wings are duller and the costal bars are filled with paler shadings instead. Compared to those on the upperside, the ocelli are smaller and on the hindwing, there is an additional ocellus in space 2, and the spot in spaces 5-6 appears to be a conjoined pair. Each of the fore- and hindwings has a dark stripe traversing from the costa to the dorsum. The stripes appear to be continuous across the two wings. The stripe on the hindwing is outlined by a broad pale band on the inner edge.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour: 

This species is rather common across multiple habitats in Singapore, with ubiquitous presence in open areas in the nature reserves as well as urban and suburban areas. It flies in the usual gliding manner of the Junonia spp. and typically several individuals can be seen together in one location. Under sunny condition, they have a habit of opening their wings wide to sunbathe while resting on a perch.- http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2011/05/life-history-of-peacock-pansy.html