RHS Wisley, 10 February 2012 – Part 12
Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)
The
Kallima (Leafwing) controversy …
The Leafwing or Oak Leaf butterflies are a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are found in India, Burma, China, Thailand, Java, Sumatra and other areas of southeast Asia. At least five species, including
Kallima inachus, are found on the Indian subcontinent. There are at least ten different species (subject to taxonomic interpretation) and a number of subspecies. Their common name refers to the dead leaf like appearance of the ventral surface of their wings. Further to a number of queries on the UKB forum regarding the correct identification of the
Kallima species currently flying at Wisley, I decided to investigate further. During a recent visit to Oxford I examined and requested photographs of the collection in order to provide some clarity. A literature search was also undertaken. Though undoubtedly a little difficult, I personally feel that the following descriptions and images clearly show the differences between these two species.
The following descriptions of
inachis and
paralekta are by Frederic Moore, F.Z.S. in
Descriptions of the species of the Lepidopterous genus Kallima. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1879 (1) : 9-15.
Kallima inachus
A large, dark, bright violet-blue, prominently-marked species; the forewing with broad fulvous band extending to the outer margin; the outer borders of the hindwing paler and prominently marked with short brown strigae. Forewing with a short apical point in male and a very prolonged one in female; discal hyaline spot larger than in the other species. Underside ochreous-brown, vinous tinted, minutely brown speckled; rib line indistinct.
Kallima paralekta
Male. Forewing with an oblique uniformly narrow fulvous band, its inner border terminating at posterior angle; basal area and hindwing deep blue. Female, with bluish-purple white band, basal area and hindwing dark rufous-brown; discal hyaline spot in both sexes small and oval.
Images copyright OUMNH, photographed by Katherine Child.
