Cethosia biblis

Cethosia biblis (Cethosia biblis)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — nymphalidae

Genus – сethosia

Appearance

Cethosia biblis is medium-sized butterfly, with a wingspan reaching about 8–9 centimeters (3.1–3.5 in). In this species the sexes are dimorphic. In males the dorsal sides of the wings are bright orange red, framed by a black outline with white spots. The undersides range from bright red to pale brown, interlaced by black and white. This astonishing pattern helps to disguise the shape of the butterfly, while the intense color of the dorsal sides of the wings is a warning to predators that the red lacewing has a bad taste, deriving from the poisonous host plants of the caterpillars. The dorsal sides of the wings of the females are greyish-brownish with black spots and white bands and spots on the black margins.

Caterpillars have several reddish, black and white stripes, a black head and long black spikes that contain poison.

Habitat

This species can be found from the Indian subcontinent eastwards to South-East Asia and East Asia, the eastern limit being the Philippines, and the southern limit being Indonesia.

Behavior

Cethosia biblis are active in the morning. Butterflies and caterpillars are poisonous, because the caterpillars feed on poisonous plants and accumulate poison in their tissues.

Diet

Caterpillars mainly feed on poisonous climbing plants, mainly Passiflora species (P. cochinchinensis, P. moluccana, etc.).

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. The females lay their eggs in groups on the leaves and stems of the forage plant. It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums for 6-8 insects. In the terrarium, you need to place a branch of a forage plant. Forage plants should be replaced every 3-4 days. The insects should be kept at the temperature of 22-26 oC and humidity 60-70%. The pupa is ochreous in color with a beautiful light brown pattern and many spines. The pupa stage lasts 8-9 days. Butterflies live for 7-9 days.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed the butterflies with honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.

 

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