Athyma zeroca
Encyclopedia
The Small Staff Sergeant (Athyma zeroca) is a species of nymphalid
butterfly found in tropical and subtropical Asia
.
Male upperside superficially resembles the upperside of Athyma selenophora
; but on the fore wing the discoidal streak is more obscure, the three obliquely-placed white spots composing the anterior portion of the discal band are preapically transverse on the wing and are sometimes not white but fuliginous brown ; the postdiscal and subterminal lines on the hind wing are more continuous. Underside also resembles, but more closely, the underside of A. selenophora male, but the ground-colour is darker, the discoidal streak and transverse preapical spots on the fore wing and the postdiscal and subterminal lines on the hind wing lilac, the latter two more continuous, not macular.
Female altogether different. Upperside fuliginous brown with diffuse sullied white markings. Fore wing with the discoidal streak long and undivided; beyond apex of cell an elongate narrow triangular spot: discal band long and narrow posteriorly and very oblique, extending in interspace 3 diffusely to the inner subterminal band; the three spots composing its anterior portion also very oblique; the inner subterminal band broad and distinct; outer subterminal band distinct only posteriorly. Hind wing with the usual subbasal. postdiscal and subterminal bands, the former two sullied white, the postdiscal very diffuse, the subterminal pale brown. Underside ochraceous brown, the sullied white markings as on the upperside, a series of dark ferruginous diffuse marks resembling stains from near apex of fore to dorsal margin of hind wing ; this last broadly bluish.
Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown ; beneath, palpi, thorax and abdomen white suffused with pale blue. The usual abdominal bar at base above.
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
butterfly found in tropical and subtropical Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Description
- See glossaryGlossary of Lepidopteran termsThis glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of insect species, jargon used mostly by professionals or entomologist....
for terminology used
Male upperside superficially resembles the upperside of Athyma selenophora
Athyma selenophora
The Staff Sergeant is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in tropical and subtropical Asia.-Description:Male Upperside- black- Forewing: discoidal streak deep red, twice divided, the apical portion dusky white; three elongate oval white spots in the interspaces beyond; a distinct white band,...
; but on the fore wing the discoidal streak is more obscure, the three obliquely-placed white spots composing the anterior portion of the discal band are preapically transverse on the wing and are sometimes not white but fuliginous brown ; the postdiscal and subterminal lines on the hind wing are more continuous. Underside also resembles, but more closely, the underside of A. selenophora male, but the ground-colour is darker, the discoidal streak and transverse preapical spots on the fore wing and the postdiscal and subterminal lines on the hind wing lilac, the latter two more continuous, not macular.
Female altogether different. Upperside fuliginous brown with diffuse sullied white markings. Fore wing with the discoidal streak long and undivided; beyond apex of cell an elongate narrow triangular spot: discal band long and narrow posteriorly and very oblique, extending in interspace 3 diffusely to the inner subterminal band; the three spots composing its anterior portion also very oblique; the inner subterminal band broad and distinct; outer subterminal band distinct only posteriorly. Hind wing with the usual subbasal. postdiscal and subterminal bands, the former two sullied white, the postdiscal very diffuse, the subterminal pale brown. Underside ochraceous brown, the sullied white markings as on the upperside, a series of dark ferruginous diffuse marks resembling stains from near apex of fore to dorsal margin of hind wing ; this last broadly bluish.
Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown ; beneath, palpi, thorax and abdomen white suffused with pale blue. The usual abdominal bar at base above.
See also
- NymphalidaeNymphalidaeThe Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
- List of butterflies of India
- List of Butterflies of India (Nymphalidae)