The Orange Oakleaf
is the butterfly of large size in the family Nymphalidae
with the wingspan of 85-110 mm. Upper part of wing orange
brown tinted with blue on lower forewing and hindwing,
Forewing with a large oblique orange band, a white sub-costal
spot near apex and with-centered black discal spot in
space 2 of forewing; Under part of wing markings variable,
resembling dead leaf with dark veins. They live mostly
in the forest along the stream and like to sunbath in
the morning (7.00-10.00 am). The butterflies undergo complete
metamorphosis with the egg and larval stages of 3-4 and
30 days respectively. The larvae have 4 instars. The pupal
satge lasts 13-14 days. The total life cycle from egg
to adult is 36 days. The adult live 14-20 days. The larvae
of Orange Oakleaf feed on leaves of Acanthaceae such as
dyeriana (Strobilanthus dyeriana Brem.), Red Ivy (Hemigraphis
alternata (Burm.f.) Anderson), graecizan (Ruellia graecizans
Backer), macrobotry (Strongylodon macrobotrys A.Gray),
and schomburgkii (Sericocalyx schomburgkii Brem.). The
adults feed on the nectar of various flowers.
