Zeuxidia amethystus
In William Lucas Distant's Rhopalocera Malayana
Scientific classification
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Z. amethystus
Binomial name
Zeuxidia amethystus
Butler, 1865

Zeuxidia amethystus, the common Saturn, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1865. This butterfly is relatively large and striking. Its forewings have a broad iridescent-blue band with a similar blue patch on the hindwing. It is not abundant in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. It has only be observed in dense forests. It can be approached while feeding on fermenting fallen fruits. Its flight period extends from May to September.[1] It obtains minerals using mud-puddling behavior and seem to be prefer ammonium ions rather than sodium.[2]

It is sometimes collected and displayed as fine wall art.[3]

References

  1. โ†‘ Jansen, Tom. "Butterflies - Morphinae - Zeuxidia amethystus amethystus". samuibutterflies.com. Retrieved 2014-11-02.
  2. โ†‘ Erhardt, A. & Rusterholz, H.P. (1998): Do Peacock butterflies (Inachis io) detect and prefer nectar amino acids and other nitrogenous compounds? Oecologia 117(4): 536-542. doi:10.1007/s004420050690 (HTML abstract)
  3. โ†‘ "Zeuxidia amethystus". Bits and Bugs. Retrieved 2017-03-14.


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