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Banded Red Harlequin

Paralaxita orphna

Photo by pamsai
Published on Project Noah
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6.00913, 101.373

Field Notes

Description:

Paralaxita orphna is a small butterfly belonging to the Riodinidae family.

They are usually seen singly and very difficult to locate. One comes across them suddenly and by chance. They are sometimes disturbed while walking through dense dark forest, at which time they suddenly take flight and resettle a few metres away in darkness, on the surface of a leaf. if you don't keep your eye on them when they fly, they seem to just disappear.

When seen in the darkness they appear black, the colours only showing by the light of a flash or if they chance to land in a patch of sun.

Habitat:

Dense rainforest at altitudes between 200-1200m.

Reference Links:

Butterflies of Malaysia - Paralaxita damajanti

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
Neil Ross
Oh that's a pretty one, Pam. You have that magic butterfly touch. Congrats on your SOTD.
pamsai
Thank you Daniele... Such a striking looking little butterfly when seen in the light. Hard to believe when you see it in the forest it looks black, and in the dark forest (which it prefers) it can seem to magically disappear !
DanielePralong
You continue to enchant us with your latest butterfly discoveries Pam! Your Banded Red Harlequin is our Spotting of the Day: "We couldn't resist this beautifully contrasted Banded Red Harlequin (Paralaxita orphna), our Spotting of the Day! Paralaxita is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae found in the Indomalayan ecozone, and comprising only four species. Riodinidae is currently treated as a distinct butterfly family, while in the past they were placed in the subfamily Riodininae of the Lycaenidae". Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/pb.10150120463815603.-2207520000.1531437475./10160660731740603/?type=3&theater Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/1017548056412262401
pamsai
Thank you DrNamgyalT.Sherpa. A beautiful little butterfly that has to be persued to show it's beautiful colours...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Biodiversity of Thailand
Mission
Macro Insect South East ASIA
Mission
2018 Best Wildlife Photo
Photographed
PublishedJuly 11, 2018

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