Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Libythea myrrha are generally found in tropical and subtropical rainforests at an altitude of about 200 – 1000 m above sea level.
They can sometimes seen along the side of roads or in parks.
They are often seen flying alone and visiting rocks to absorb minerals.
If disturbed, they will fly away and perch on branches.
They are known for frequent mud puddling in orger to gain salt and other minerals.
Adults can be found feeding on nectar from flowers, basking in the sun, or partaking in other activities. To find them, visit areas with abundant flowers or set up a feeding station with over ripe fruit to attract them.
They have a dark brown ventral wing with yellow orange hue, a line along the median vein, two preapical double dots oblique to the ribs, and a medial band extending from veins 1 to 5.
The ventral side of the wings is brown with a pattern like the dorsal side but with a more broad, apex and dorsal edge pale gray with small dark spots.
The antennae, head, chest and abdomen are dark brown, the ventral side is like a palpi, the chest and abdomen are grayish brown.
Their population status has not been evaluated.
* As members of the Brush Footed (Nymphalidae) family, they have a shorter pair of front legs that are used for food tasting, and two pairs of longer rear legs that are used for propulsion.
Diet: caterpillars feed on Hackberry leaves (celtis species), Chinese Hackberry (celtis sinensis), Japanese Hackberry (celtis jessoensis), European Nettle Tree (celtis australis) and Sugarberry (celtis laevigata)
Diet: adults imbibe flower nectar from various flowering plants, tree sap from damaged trees or overripe fruits, dissolved minerals from wet mud or damp substrates, decaying fruits like bananas or mangoes, and floral honeydew excreted by aphids or other insects
Avg. Wingspan:: of 46 – 58 cm / 1.8 – 2.28 “
Family: Nymphalidae
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
