Acraea violae I

First discovered in Singapore (Punggol area) in September 2006, the species has since spread to many other parts of Singapore.

The butterflies of this subfamily are characterised by a perfectly flat hindwing and by having the cells of both wings closed by tubular veins. Their behaviour is sluggish, and, like the Danainae, they have a leathery body and are tenacious of life. They frequently exhibit Mullerian mimicry and serve as models for Batesian mimics from other families.

The subfamily is strongly represented in the Ethiopian region, less so in the Neotropical Region, and is weakly represented in the Oriental and Australial Regions. The egg resembles that of Danaini being much higher than wide and bearing rather ill-defined vertical ribs.

The eggs are laid in clusters and the gregarious larvae are cylindrical and bear branched spines, termed scoli, on each segment. The host plants are commonly species of Passifloraceae." (pg 146 - C&4).

Scientific Name: Acraea violae (Tawny Coster)

Description
Family : Nymphalidae
SubFamily : Heliconiinae
Common Name : Tawny Coster, 斑珍蝶