Junonia lemonias -MYL

Description

The Junonia lemonias is a brown butterfly with numerous eye-spots and lines on the upperside of the wings. They're commonly founs in South Asia in gardens, fallow land, and open areas. The underside is a dull brown, with a number of wavy lines and spots in varying shades of brown and black. There is also an eyespot on the lower side of the forewing.

During the wet and dry seasons, the J.lemonias can differ in colour and even shape. In the wet season, the markings are distinct and colourful and the wing shape is a little more rounded. In the dry season, the markings are obscure and less colourful, especially on the underside. The wing margin is also more angular and jagged. This helps the butterfly to camouflage in the dried leaf-litter, hiding it from predators. It is a very active butterfly and can be seen basking with its wings open facing the sun; this helps the butterfly to warm itself up as it is an ectotherm, requiring external sources (the sun in this case) to help regulate its body temperature. This behaviour exposes a greater surface area of its wings towards the sun, so that more heat can be absorbed. To avoid overheating, the butterfly simply rests in the shade or folds its wings so less surface area is absorbing the heat of the sun.