Common Eggfly
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Common
Eggfly: Hypolimnas bolina
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It is sexually dimorphic to the extent that many observers assume that
the female and male are two different species.
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The male (higher photograph) is a
beautiful sheeny blackish purple, with a large white spots edged in the purple
on each wing.
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The female (lower photograph) has the sheeny blackish purple as a
background, with patches of the purple edged white and orange on the forewings.
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Males are quite territorial.
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They sit on a favourite perch such as a leaf on a
shrub, and fly out to challenge other males of the same species, but often
also other butterflies.
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This behaviour and competition has been the subject of
recent research by Dr. Darrell Kemp at James Cook University in Cairns.
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They are
often seen at the edge of the rainforest along the Cape Tribulation road.
Script : Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
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