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help needed

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:42 pm
by 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.

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:00 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:34 pm
by jean c
here is a photo not up to your standards but I hope it helps
Image

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:28 am
by Cotswold Cockney
jean c wrote:here is a photo not up to your standards but I hope it helps
Image
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.
.