TIRUMALA PETIVERANA

Tirumala petiverana (Tirumala petiverana)

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

Genus – tirumala

Appearance

The wingspan is 60–75 mm. The wings are velvety black with numerous bright blue spots. The underside is more faded.

Habitat

It is found in tropical Africa.

Behavior

It demonstrates daily activity. Butterflies are poisonous. The flight is slow, undulating. Males are active in the morning, females - in the afternoon.

There is one generation per year.

Diet

The larvae feed on Pergularia extensa, Pergularia daemia, Daemia, Hoya, and Marsdenia rubicunda.

Butterflies feed on flower nectar.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. The females lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf of the forage plant. The eggs are white, oval. The incubation period is 7-10 days. It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums for 6-8 insects. In the terrarium you need to put a forage plant. The temperature is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of 60-70%.

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.