Lethe daretis explained

Lethe daretis, the Sri Lanka treebrown, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.[1] It is endemic and restricted to cloud forests of central highlands of Sri Lanka such as Horton Plains.[2]

Description

Wingspan of adult is less than 30 mm. Sexes show sexual dimorphism. Male has dark brown dorsal surface, whereas female resemble female Lethe drypetis coloration. In male, a sub-marginal row of small black spots found on the hindwing. On forewing, yellowish brown patches appear near the upper margin. Ventral surface dark brown with purple tinge. All eye spots rounded. Eye spots on hindwing possess a yellow ring, which is lack on forewing eye spots. There is a whitish irregular oblique line on forewing. This white line is much broader in female.[3] Host plant belongs to family Poaceae such as Arundinaria debilis.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Species Details : Lethe daretis Hewitson, 1863 . Catalogue of Life . 28 March 2018.
  2. Web site: Sri Lanka Treebrown (Lethe daretis) . 21 September 2016 . Lanka Nature Summary. 3 April 2018.
  3. Web site: Sri Lanka Treebrown - Hela Rukguruwa . wildreach . 3 April 2018.
  4. Web site: Sri Lanka Treebrown biology . Dilmah Conservation . 3 April 2018.