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DANAIDAE
The
Glassy Tiger - Parantica Aglea (Stoll)
Colour: Transparent bluish with brown veins
A common butterfly of 70-85 mm. Upper surface of wings deep brown with
very extensive bluish white transparent markings. The pale streak in the
cell of fore wing divided lengthwise by two fine dark lines. Generally
found in hills where rainfall is heavy. Recorded from Umran, Cherrapunjee
and Nongpoh during March - September especially in July and August.
The Plain Tiger - Danaus (Anosia) chrysippus (Linnaeus)
Colour: Orange with faintly black veins
A very common butterfly of 70-80 mm with upper surface of hind wing tawny
in colour. Four small black spots are found around the end of cell on the
upper surface of the hind wing in male and three in female. This butterfly
is usually seen visiting gardens. Recorded from Barapani and Shillong in
June and July.
The Chocolate Tiger - Danaus Melaneus (Cramer)
Colour: Transparent bluish with chocolate markings
A somewhat common butterfly of 85-95 mm with upper surface of the wings
black or deep brown with extensive very transparent bluish white markings.
Fore wing cell undivided and upper surface of the hind wing with broad
chocolate coloured margin. This specie is commonly found in the hill
regions of North Eastern India and recorded from Umran, Shillong and
Cherrapunjee during the months of July - August.
The Chestnut Tiger - Danaus Sita (Kollar)
Colour: Transparent bluish with black markings
A common butterfly of 85 - 110 mm. Upper surface of the forewing black in
background colour with extensive and very transparent light blue markings.
Its upper surface of the hind wing is with a broad chestnut coloured
border and with transparent light blue markings. This butterfly is
generally slow flying and visits flowers near forest glades and recorded
from Shillong and Mawphlang during July - September.
The Common India Crow - Euploea Core (Cramer)
Colour: Glossy brown with white markings
A very common butterfly of 85-95 mm; its upper surface of wings are
glossy brown with white spots on the margin and outer edge of the wings.
This butterfly is a lazy flier and can be seen around shrubs and bushes.
Recorded from Nongpoh, Umran, Umshing and Barapani during July - August.
The Striped Blue Crow - Euploea Mulciber (Cramer)
Colour: Blue
A common butterfly of 90-100 mm. Upper surface of fore wing of male
glossy black and shining blue tinged with pale blue spots on the middle
and outer edge of the wings. Upper surface of the hind unspotted and the
apical half overlaid with greyish scales. Female with dark brown wings,
but with the blue tinged area on the fore wing smaller. Spots similar to
the male but white in colour. Its upper surface of hind wing of female is
with narrow white streaks on the middle area and with white spots on the
outer edge. Generally seen in warmer valleys of hilly terrain. Recorded
from Umran, Barapani, Shillong and Mawphlang during April - November.
SATYARIDAE
The Banded Tree Brown - Lethe Confusa Aurivillius
Colour: Brownish Black
This is somewhat a common butterfly of 50-55 mm, having upper surface of
wings brown in colour, fore wing with a white band and with pale spot on
the apex. The under surface of the hind wing is with a large circular mark
on the upper margin and with a series of smaller circular marks on the
outer edge. This butterfly is found in forest where Bamboo abounds.
Recorded from Nongpoh and Barapani during the month of May.
The Dusky Labyrinth - Lethe Yama (Moore)
Colour: Brown
Considered to be a rare butterfly of 70-95 mm, Dusky Labyrinth's upper
surface of wings dark brown, plain and spots obscurely marked. This
butterfly visits shady roadside banks and is attracted by animal refuse.
Recorded from Shillong, Umtyngar, Mawphlang and Laitlyngkot during April,
May and August.
The Large Three Ring - Ypthima Nareda (Kollar)
Colour: Deep Brown
A very common butterfly of 40-60 mm, its wings are brown in colour with
one eyespot like marking each on the upper surface of the fore and hind
wing. Under surface of the hind wings has got three eyespots more or less
in a line. This butterfly is commonly found in grassy places flying close
to the ground. Recorded from Laitkor and Shillong during January, May,
June and August - September.
The Himalayan Five Ring - Ypthima Sakra Moore
Colour: Deep Brown
A common butterfly of 45-55 mm, the Himalayan butterfly has wings brown
in colour with eye like markings having two minute white spots. Upper and
under surface of the fore wing with one eye mark and under surface of hind
wing bearing five eye marks with the two at the tip much larger than the
rest. They are found in grassy places flying close to the ground. Recorded
from Shillong, Mawphlang, Lawsohtun, Barapani and Laitkor during June -
October.
The Spotted Palm Fly - Elymnias malelas (Hewitson)
Colour: Dark Brown with Blue spots
A somewhat common butterfly of 75-100 mm; the upper surface of the wings
of the male is dark brown and fore wing blue shot and with mauve spots.
The upper surface of the butterfly's hind wing is brown without any
markings or a tail like projection. Female forewing is with the blue shot
area reduced, whiter spots and hind wing with white streaks between the
veins and without a tail. Under surface is pale, closely covered with fine
dark brown striations. This butterfly inhabits shaded areas of forest.
Recorded from Nongpoh during August.
The Dusky Diadem - Ethope himachala (Moore)
Colour : Dark brown
A somewhat common butterfly of 60-85 mm. Wings of this butterfly are dark
brown in colour and rounded in shape with a complete row of prominent
eyespots towards the outer edge. Wing margins paler and bears three
prominent dark lines. This butterfly can be seen generally near streams.
Recorded from Nongpoh during October.
AMATHUSIIDAE
The Jungle Glory - Thaumantis Diores Doubleday
Colour: Dark Brown with shining Blue patch on all wings.
A somewhat rare butterfly of 95-115 mm. Upper surface of wings dark brown
with a prominent large shining metallic blue patch in the middle area of
each wing. This butterfly was seen to inhabit moist and shady areas of
forest. Recorded from Nongpoh during October.
ACRAEIDAE
The Yellow Castor - Acraea issoria (Hubner)
Colour : Yellowish brown
A very common butterfly of 45- 85 mm. Upper surface of wings is yellowish
brown with a brownish black outer border with yellowish brown spots on it.
Also upper surface of fore wing is with small black bar like markings.
This butterfly is a very slow flier and can be seen on leaves and flowers.
Recorded from Shillong and Mawphlang during April- December, mostly during
August -October.