PRECIS (JUNONIA) OENONE

Precis (junonia) oenone(Precis (junonia) oenone)

Phylum —arthropoda
Class —insecta
Order —lepidoptera
Family —nymphalidae

Genus –junonia

Appearance

The wingspan is 40–52 mm. The upper surface of the forewings is black with white markings towards the apex. The upper surface of the hindwings is black with white markings on the outer edge, and a characteristic large metallic-blue spot. This blue spot is smaller and more a dull purple in females. The underside of the forewings is brown with white markings corresponding to those on the upper surface. The under surface of the hindwings is almost uniform brown.

Habitat

It is found in Africa and Madagascar.

Behavior

It demonstrates  daily activity and prefers savanna, shrubby thickets, gardens, parks.

Diet

Butterflies feed on nectar. Males are often found on wet ground, where they absorb moisture with minerals.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. Females lay eggs one by one on the young shoots of the forage plant. The eggs are pale green, with vertical ribs.The incubation period is 4-10 days. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants in the family Acanthaceae.It is better to keep the caterpillars in terrariums of 6-8 pieces, placing a pot with a forage plant in it.

The temperature in the terrarium is 22-25 ^oC at the humidity of60-70%.

The caterpillar develops for 33-37 days. The pupa is dull brown with large orange-brown spots. The pupal stage lasts 14-18 days.

In captivity

The mesh cage with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Daylight time is 12 hours. You can feed the butterflies with honey syrup diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 10.