Zeuxidia amethystus

Zeuxidia amethystus
Zeuxidia amethystus depicted in Rhopalocera Malayana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Division: Ditrysia
Section: Cossina
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Morphinae
Tribe: Amathusiini
Genus: Zeuxidia
Species: Z. amethystus
Binomial name
Zeuxidia amethystus
Butler,1865

Zeuxidia amethystus, the commmon saturn, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. This butterfly is relatively large and striking. It displays its forewings that have a broad iridescent blue band with a similarl blue patch on the hindwing. It is not abundant in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. It has only be observed in dense forests. It can be approached while feeding on fermenting fallen fruits. Its flight period extends from May to September.[1] It obtains minerals using mud puddling behavior and seem to be prefer ammonium ions rather than sodium.[2]

It is sometimes collected and displayed as fine wall art.[3]

References

  1. Jansen, Tom. "Butterflies - Morphinae - Zeuxidia amethystus amethystus". samuibutterflies.com. Retrieved 2014-11-02.
    • Erhardt, A. & Rusterholz, H.P. (1998): Do Peacock butterflies (Inachis io) detect and prefer nectar amino acids and other nitrogenous compounds? Oecologia 117(4): 536-542. doi:10.1007/s004420050690 (HTML abstract)
  2. "Zeuxidia amethystus". Bits and Bugs. Retrieved 2014-11-02.
Wikispecies has information related to: Zeuxidia


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