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Orange oakleaf

Kallima inachus

Photo by Wild Things
Published on Project Noah
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14.8121, 74.9872

Field Notes

Description:

Orange oakleaf or dead leaf, is a nymphalid butterfly found in tropical Asia from India to Japan. With wings closed, it closely resembles a dry leaf with dark veins and is a spectacular and commonly cited example of camouflage. The orange oakleaf is a powerful flier and usually flies in dense forests with good rainfall, amongst undergrowth and along stream beds. It is attracted to tree sap and over-ripe fruit, and is also known to mud-puddle. Much pursued by birds, when in danger the orange oakleaf flies erratically, soon dropping down into the foliage and occupying a stationary pose with wings closed, so that the birds are very often quite unable to find them. In such a pose, the butterfly resembles a dried leaf and is perfectly camouflaged

Habitat:

Seen in Mumbai City

Notes:

Seen on a rusted gate.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Great colours on this guy. Thanks for sharing this.

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