Number: 76
Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Nymphaliinae
Sub-Family: Nymphaliinae
Species: Kallima inachus (Doyère, 1840)
Common name(s): The Orange Oakleaf, The Dead Leaf, The Indian Leaf Butterfly
Photography location: Tam Dao foothills (Vinh Phuc Prov.)
With wings closed, it closely resembles a dry
leaf with dark veins and is a spectacular and commonly cited example
of camouflage.
When the wings are open, the forewing exhibits a black
apex, an orange discal band and a deep blue base.
A worn individual
A pristine one
This powerful flier is often seen in dense
forests, amongst undergrowth and along stream beds. It is attracted to tree sap
and over-ripe fruit, and is also known to mud-puddle.
Much pursued by birds, when in danger the
Orange Oakleaf flies erratically, soon dropping down into the foliage and
occupying a stationary pose with wings closed, so that the birds are very often
quite unable to find them. In such a pose, the butterfly resembles a dried leaf
and is perfectly camouflaged.
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