Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Also known as the Arrowhead Turtle butterfly in some areas.
Tanaecia pelea are distributed through Singapore, mainland Malaysia, Borneo, Nias and Pulau Tioman.
Tanaecia pelea can be found in forests and woodlands, tropical rainforests, and are rarely found outside forest areas.
They are easiest to find during dry, sunny weather, when they forage and mate. They become significantly less active in rainy or cold weather.
They fly at medium speed, with a distinctive style of flight, gliding firmly while flapping their wings.
They are often seen visiting rotten fruit, carcasses or moist seeps.
They are not intentional pollinators, but do contribute to pollen transfer by accidentally transferring pollen when they take nectar. Attracted by the bright colors and unique shapes of flowers, they unwittingly collect pollen while drinking nectar and transfer it between the flowers they visit.
They have grayish brown forewings with white V-shaped submaginal markings.
The ventral sides of the wings are paler with a faint purple tinge.
In males the ventral sides of the hindwings have two separate, submarginal V-shaped black stripes, whereas in females these lines are joined.