English: Junonia almana LINNAEUS, 1758

Family - NYMPHALIDAE Subfamily - NYMPHALINAE Tribe – JUNONIINI

Introduction Peacock Pansy Butterflies are frequently found in an around lakesides, grass lands and semi-evergreen patches of the Eastern Ghats, especially in the Koraput Dist, basking in sunny patches in the early part of the day. This beautiful butterfly has pale yellow and orange coloured wings with large eyes spots on the upper side of its hind wings and smaller ones on the forewings. Females of this species are usually larger. Lantana and ixora flowers are the favorite for these butterflies.

The genus Junonia comprises about 33 species, 11 of which occur in the Oriental region including 6 on the Indian subcontinent - lemonias, orithya, hierta, iphita, atlites and almana.

Native to: India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines, and ranges south through the Malay archipelago to Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and Java

Interesting Fact:

This butterfly is usually seen in twos and threes, though when approached, they often flit rapidly away and out of reach.