help needed

[jean c]

i have got a framed butterfly framed and it says leaf malaya on the back it is orange and brown it is at least 25years old and i would love to know somthing about it if anyone can help i would really appreciate any info thank you.

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Jean,

I'm assuming that the is a Leaf Butterfly, from Malaya

A web search will turn up various species, such as Kallima amplirufa. If you have a photo that would help narrow down the species.

Cheers,

- Pete

[jean c]

here is a photo not up to your standards but I hope it helps

[Cotswold Cockney]

here is a photo not up to your standards but I hope it helps

There are a number of Leaf Butterfly ( Kallima) species. It is the underside which gives the butterfly it's non scientific name but, even so, it's a very appropriate one. Have a look at the pictures of one species example here to see why it is so named. They are not rare:

http://www.planet-pets.com/plntklma.htm

and

http://www.butterflyutopia.com/kallima_inachus.html

A google search will provide others some of which have very attractive uppersides.

Hope this helps.

Although a very distant relative of the Kallima species, our Comma Butterfly ( Polygonia c-album) is a fine example of a dead leaf mimic ... well the underside certainly is and several other British species also make a good 'leaf' when the wings are closed.
.