Tuesday 13 December 2016

219. Parantica sita sita (The Chestnut Tiger)

Number: 219
Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Danaiinae
Species: Parantica sita sita (Kollar, [1844])
Common name(s): The Chestnut Tiger
Photography locations: Ba Vi N.P. (Hanoi), Tam Đường Distr. (Lai Chau Prov.), Hàm Yên Distr. (Tuyên Quang Prov.)

There are actually 42 species in the genus Parantica, whose representatives occur variously from India to the islands of the South Pacific. Parantica sita is one of the most widespread species, being distributed from northern India to Korea and Japan, and south to the West Malaysian peninsula.  

Six Parantica species are known to occur in Vietnam viz. P. aglea, P. agleoides, P. aspasia, P. melaneus, P. swinhoei, P. sita.

Female Parantica sita sita nectaring on Bidens flowers (Mount Ba Vi, December 2016)

Male Parantica sita sita, from Lai Chau (January 2017)
Particularly easy to see in this picture are the male alar androconial organ (sex brand) on the sub-tornal area of the hindwing

Same individual, showing its upperwings

Another male, puddling in a dry stream bed (Ham Yên District, Tuyen Quang Prov., 30th January 2017)

Same male specimen, in flight

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