Acraea terpsicore
Encyclopedia
The Tawny Coster is a small leathery winged butterfly
which is common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae
or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators. This species and the Yellow Coster Acraea issoria
are the only two Indian representatives of the predominantly African tribe Acraeini
.
1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and the apex and termen
black. The upper four spots of the discal series inclined obliquely outwards, the lower two obliquely inwards ; the black edging to apex and termen narrowing posteriorly, but with slender linear-projections inwards in the interspaces. Hind wing: a basal series of four or five black spots with a similar spot beyond in middle of cell and a subcostal black spot above it, followed by a discal series of obscure blackish spots and a minute postdiscal black dot in interspaces 4 and 6 respectively ; finally, a broad black terminal band medially traversed by a series of small spots of the ground-colour. Most of the macular black markings are obscure, being only the spots on the underside seen by the transparency of the wing-membrane ; the inner edge of the black terminal band crenulate.
Underside: ground-colour ochraceous yellow or a paler tawny yellow. Fore wing paling to whitish on the apex, with the black markings as on the upper side but somewhat blurred and diffuse. Hind wing: the black spots and black terminal band as on the upperside, but the spots more clearly defined, none obscure; the series of spots traversing the black terminal margin very much larger and white- not tawny ; the base of the wing black, separated from the basal transverse series of black spots by two or three large whitish spots. Antennae black, head and thorax black spotted with ochraceous and white ; Abdomen anteriorly black, posteriorly ochraceous yellow with narrow transverse black lines; beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen ochraceous, the thorax spotted with ochraceous, the abdomen with a longitudinal line of black at base.
Upperside: ground-colour duller; the black spots on fore and hind wings larger, the upper discal spots often coalescing and forming an irregular oblique short band; the black edging to apex and termen on the fore wing and the black terminal band on the hind wing proportionately broader, the spots traversing the latter larger and whitish.
Underside: ground-colour much paler and duller, markings as on the upperside and, as in the male, the spots on the hind wing better defined than on the upperside, Antennae, bead, thorax and abdomen as in the male.
Wing expanse of 53–64 mm.
and species of Passiflora many of which contain toxins that are sequestered by the caterpillars. They have also been noted to feed on the leaves of Hybanthus enneaspermus (Violaceae) in Bengal.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
which is common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators. This species and the Yellow Coster Acraea issoria
Acraea issoria
The Yellow Coster, Acraea issoria, is a small, leathery-winged butterfly. This species and the Tawny Coster are the only two Indian representatives of the predominantly African sub-family Acraeinae....
are the only two Indian representatives of the predominantly African tribe Acraeini
Acraeini
Acraeini is a tribe of butterflies of the subfamily Heliconiinae in the family Nymphalidae.-Genera:* Abananote Potts, 1943* Acraea – acraeas* Actinote* Altinote Potts, 1943* Bematistes* Cethosia – lacewings...
.
Description
Male
Upperside tawny. Fore wing: a transverse black spot in cell, and another irregular, oblique and broader at the disco-cellulars ; a discal series of spots in interspacesGlossary of Lepidopteran terms
This glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of insect species, jargon used mostly by professionals or entomologist....
1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and the apex and termen
Glossary of Lepidopteran terms
This glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of insect species, jargon used mostly by professionals or entomologist....
black. The upper four spots of the discal series inclined obliquely outwards, the lower two obliquely inwards ; the black edging to apex and termen narrowing posteriorly, but with slender linear-projections inwards in the interspaces. Hind wing: a basal series of four or five black spots with a similar spot beyond in middle of cell and a subcostal black spot above it, followed by a discal series of obscure blackish spots and a minute postdiscal black dot in interspaces 4 and 6 respectively ; finally, a broad black terminal band medially traversed by a series of small spots of the ground-colour. Most of the macular black markings are obscure, being only the spots on the underside seen by the transparency of the wing-membrane ; the inner edge of the black terminal band crenulate.
Underside: ground-colour ochraceous yellow or a paler tawny yellow. Fore wing paling to whitish on the apex, with the black markings as on the upper side but somewhat blurred and diffuse. Hind wing: the black spots and black terminal band as on the upperside, but the spots more clearly defined, none obscure; the series of spots traversing the black terminal margin very much larger and white- not tawny ; the base of the wing black, separated from the basal transverse series of black spots by two or three large whitish spots. Antennae black, head and thorax black spotted with ochraceous and white ; Abdomen anteriorly black, posteriorly ochraceous yellow with narrow transverse black lines; beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen ochraceous, the thorax spotted with ochraceous, the abdomen with a longitudinal line of black at base.
Female
Similar to that of the male.Upperside: ground-colour duller; the black spots on fore and hind wings larger, the upper discal spots often coalescing and forming an irregular oblique short band; the black edging to apex and termen on the fore wing and the black terminal band on the hind wing proportionately broader, the spots traversing the latter larger and whitish.
Underside: ground-colour much paler and duller, markings as on the upperside and, as in the male, the spots on the hind wing better defined than on the upperside, Antennae, bead, thorax and abdomen as in the male.
Wing expanse of 53–64 mm.
Distribution
The butterfly is found in India and Sri Lanka. It is common all the year round and is equally at home in forest clearings and open country. Though mainly seen at low elevations it has been recorded at heights of up to 7000 feet (2,133.6 m) in south India and sometimes in the North.Habitat
This is a butterfly of the hills as well as the plains. It is plentiful in the pre-monsoon and monsoon period and becomes scarce later on.Habits
The butterfly exudes an oily and smelly yellow liquid when handled and is unpalatable to birds and most insects. They are well protected and have a slow and weak flight, frequently visiting flowers and are easily netted. There are no mimics in India.Life cycle
The butterfly breeds on plants of the family LoganiaceaeLoganiaceae
Loganiaceae are a family of flowering plants classified in order Gentianales. The family includes 13 genera, distributed around the world's tropics.Earlier treatments of the family have included up to 29 genera...
and species of Passiflora many of which contain toxins that are sequestered by the caterpillars. They have also been noted to feed on the leaves of Hybanthus enneaspermus (Violaceae) in Bengal.
Larva
"Cylindrical, slender, with six longitudinal rows of fine branched spines; colour reddish brown with an oily gloss, much paler on the head, second and last segment; an unwholesome looking insect, doubtless protected like the butterfly." (Davidson & Aitken)Pupa
"Perpendicularly hung, long, slender, smooth; two lateral angles on the thorax; head quadrate; colour creamy white, with broad longitudinal bars of purplish-black spotted with orange." (Davidson & Aitken.)Other references
- Bingham, C.T.(1905) The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Butterflies. Volume 1.
- Wynter-Blyth, M.A., (1957) Butterflies of the Indian Region, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India.
- Kunte, Krushnamegh (2000) Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press,Hyderabad. ISBN 81-7371-354-5
See also
- NymphalidaeNymphalidaeThe Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
- List of butterflies of India
- List of butterflies of India (Nymphalidae)
External links
- Sri Lanka Wild Life Information Database
- http://www.srilankaninsects.net/Butterflies/Nymphlidae/TawnyCoster/TawnyCoster.htm