Asian constable butterfly

Characteristics

Nymphalidae with bright black wings and fine white markings. The color of the surface of the wing has complex shades and is difficult to describe in words, but if I were to express it, it would be a color that looks like a blackish green mixed with various paints with a little blue added. is. . The silhouette of the wings is a plain triangular shape like that of the Idea leucomadara, and is shaped like a rice ball. There are small white triangular stripes along the edge of the wings. The mouth is bright red, contrasting with the color of the wings.

Origin of Suminagashi name

The name suminagashi comes from the suminagashi technique, in which ink is dripped onto the surface of the water to create patterns. It is so called because the deep color like ink spreads in a complicated manner. I think it's a very trendy name.

Ecology

Inhabits thickets and gathers in tree sap, fruits, and animal droppings. Males have territories and often stay in the same place. Population numbers are declining in areas where copse forests are declining. They begin to fly in the evening, spreading their wings on leaves and on the ground.

Habitat

Found on a forest road in Minamiasagawacho, Hachioji City. It spreads its wings on the ground in the shade to supply water, and I didn't notice it unless I could see its red mouth. At first, I was shooting from a distance of a few meters so that they wouldn't escape, but I was able to slowly and slowly get closer to about 10 cm. The color of the wings, which looks like ink mixed with blue or green paint, is astringent and cool.