Tawny Coster 291009

Acraea violae

Details
Family : Nymphalidae
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Genus : Acraea
Common Name : Tawny Coster, 斑珍蝶
Wingspan : mm
Hostplant(s) : Passiflora foetida (Stinking Passionfruit)

Description
First discovered in Singapore (Punggol area) in September 2006, the species has since spread to many other parts of Singapore.

The butterflies of this subfamily are characterised by a perfectly flat hindwing and by having the cells of both wings closed by tubular veins. Their behaviour is sluggish, and, like the Danainae, they have a leathery body and are tenacious of life. They frequently exhibit Mullerian mimicry and serve as models for Batesian mimics from other families.

Early Stages
The eggs are laid in clusters and the gregarious larvae are cylindrical and bear branched spines, termed scoli, on each segment. The host plants are commonly species of Passifloraceae." (pg 146 - C&4).