Peacock Royal 170610

Tajuria cippus maxentius

Details
Family : Lycaenidae
Subfamily : Lycaeninae
Genus : Tajuria
Common Name : Peacock Royal, 双尾灰蝶
Wingspan : 33mm
Hostplant(s) : Dendropthoe pentandra (Mistletoe)

Description
The upperside of the male is a beautiful royal blue with a broad black apical border on the forewing. The female is a light pale blue with a series of black post-discal striae. The underside is a silvery grey with post discal series of dark striae on both wings. The tornal spots are orange-crowned and both sexes possess two pairs of tails.

Habitat & Habits
The Peacock Royal is one of three species of the genus Tajuria which can be found in Singapore in recent years. It is the most frequently encountered of the genus. Its caterpillar feeds on Loranthus and Dendropthoe, parasitic plants which grow on mature trees. The butterfly is a fast-flyer, but is often found feeding at flowering bushes and trees.

Source: <a href="[link]>ButterflyCircle