Common Map

Characterized by streaked patterns resembling stone walls or rock faces.

Scientific name	Cyrestis thyodamas
English name	Common Map
Japanese name	石崖蝶
Class	Insecta
Order	Lepidoptera
Family	Nymphalidae
Genus	Cyrestis
Species	thyodamas
Full length	Approximately 30mm
Distribution	Distributed from India to mainland Asia. In Japan, it is found in southern Honshu and southward.

Common Map Characteristics and Morphology

A nymphalid butterfly with numerous fine black streaks on a white background.
Palpi are visible when viewing the face from the side. The part of the wings near the body and a portion of the outer edge are mixed with orange and dark brown. The corners of the forewings are dark brown. Possesses short tail-like projections on the hindwings.

Male

The tips of the forewings of males are darker compared to females.

Female

The forewings of females are slightly lighter in brown.

Common Map Ecology

Habitat

Inhabits evergreen broad-leaved forests near streams. Although a southern species, its distribution is expanding northward due to the effects of global warming.

Food

Nectar is consumed from chestnut flowers, and water is absorbed from moist ground. Feeds on trees of the mulberry family as a food plant.

Life Cycle

Occurs from spring to autumn.

Common Map Photos

Common Map Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

It was opening its wings on the sandy beach.

Common Map Behavior

Flies in a dancing manner and perches with its wings spread open.

Common Map Information

Naming

The scientific name 'thyodamas' is derived from the 'Thyodamas' in Greek mythology. The name comes from the pattern that looks like a stone wall (Ishigaki in Japanese).

Common Map Found Locations

Ishigaki Island

### In a bright forest
I photographed it fluttering in a sunlit forest. It moved back and forth between the ground and the leaves about 2m high. It stopped on the leaves with its wings open.
### Wet sandy beach
I found it where fresh water flows into the sandy beach. It perched on the sandy beach with its wings open, absorbing water. Common Bluebottle and Modoki butterflies were also seen nearby.