PRECIS (JUNONIA) NATALICA

Precis (junonia) natalica (Precis (junonia) natalica)

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

Genus – junonia

Appearance

The wingspan is 45–50 mm in males and 48–55 mm in females. The wings are dull brown with a row of orange eyespots with a black dot in the center. The eyespots are situated along the edge of the wing. There are also orange spots on other parts of the wing, and there are several bright white spots on the top of the forewings. The underparts are grey-brown with orange-brown spots and white spots on the apex of the forewings.

Habitat

It is found in the Afrotropical realm.

Behavior

Precis natalica demonstrates daily activity.

Diet

Butterflies feed on nectar. Males are often found on wet ground, where they absorb moisture with minerals. The larvae feed on Asystasia gangetica and Phaulopsis imbricata.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. Females lay eggs one by one on the young shoots of the forage plant. The incubation period is 4-5 days. It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums of 6-8 pieces, placing a pot with a forage plant in it.

The temperature in the terrarium is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of 70-80%.

The caterpillar develops for 19-26 days. The pupa is dull brown with large orange-brown spots. The pupa stage lasts 10-13 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.