Sunday 19 July 2015

7. Thaumantis diores diores (The Jungle Glory)

Number: 7
Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Amathusiinae
Species: Thaumantis diores diores Doubleday, 1845
Common name(s): The Jungle Glory
Photography location: Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc Prov.)

According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), the subfamily Amathusiinae is represented in Vietnam by 10 genera: Faunis (5 species), Aemona (7 species), Stichophtalma (8 species), Amathusia (1 species), Amathuxidia (1 species), Zeuxidia (2 species), Thaumantis (1 species), Thauria (1 species), Discophora (4 species), Enispe (3 species).

The genus Thaumantis ("Jungle Glories") comprises 5 species (diores, klugius, noureddin, odana, hainana). Only T. diores is known from Vietnam, with two subspecies recognized : T. diores diores in the north and T. diores splendens further south.

Thaumantis diores is a common sight in my habitual butt hunting grounds around Hanoi, both in lowland and montane forests. This species inhabits shady undergrowth and is attracted by fruits and moist litter.

Thaumantis diores is a butterfly of the forest understory, with cryptic underwing patterns (photo with flash)

Remarkably difficult to see when at rest on the forest floor, among leaf litter (photo with flash)

Upperwings with iridescent blue patches
Sexes are similar

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