BlueMoon |
The Great Eggfly or Blue Moon is a black bodied butterfly with a wingspan
of about 7–81⁄2 cm. The species has a high degree of sexual
dimorphism. The male, upperside of the wings are jet black which is offset
with 3 pairs of white spots. 2 on the forewing and 1 on the hind. These
white spots are suffused with purple. In addition the upperside of the
hind wing bears a series of small white dots. Great Eggflies are found
in Madagascar in the west through to South and South-East Asia, South
Pacific islands (French Polynesia, Tonga, The Great Eggfly is a fairly
common butterfly found in lightly wooded country, decidous forests, thick
and moist shrub and the greener parts of human habitation. Great Eggflies
are known for maternal care with the females guarding leaves where eggs
have been laid. Males are also very territorial. The female hovers over
a plant to check for ants which will eat her eggs. After selecting a plant
which has no ants on it, she lays a single but often 2 - 5 eggs on the
undersides of the leaves. |