| Chocolate Ablatross | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pieridae |
| Genus: | Appias |
| Species: | A. lyncida |
| Binomial name | |
| Appias lyncida Cramer, 1777 |
|
Chocolate Albatross , Appias lyncida[1] is a butterfly of the Family Pieridae, that is, the Yellows and Whites, which is found in South and South East Asia.
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The Chocolate Albatross is found in India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Indochina, Taiwan, Hainan and possibly South China.[2]
In India, the butterfly ranges across South India, peninsular India, Nicobar islands, Sikkim to Assam, and onto Myanmar.[2] In South India, the Chocolate Albatross is to be found along the foot of the Western Ghats. It is found throughout the year in the Nilgiris where it is locally common. In the northern parts of peninsular India it extends into Orissa and North up to Lucknow.[3]
In India, the northern race of the butterfly is common, while it is local and scarce in other parts of its range.[3]
The Chocolate Albatross has a wingspan of 55 to 70mm. The male is white above with chocolate-brown or black margins, and, bright lemon-yellow below with chocolate-colured markings. The female is white and densely clouded with dark-brown.[4]
The butterfly shows seasonal dimorphism and is very variable. The detailed descriptions are as follows:[3]
The Chocolate Albatross is a forest butterfly and prefers rainy highlands, up to a level of 3000 ft. Flying strongly and swiftly close to the ground, the Albatross is frequently found in jungle clearings and along stream banks. The males are often found circling around trees and bushes. The Chocolate Albatross often mudpuddles, sometimes in large numbers. The butterfly occasionally visits flowers and has been recorded to visit Verbena flowers in Kodagu.[3]
The larvae have been recorded on Crataeva religiosa, Capparis roxburghii and Capparis heyneana.[2]
![[4]](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Chocolate_albatross.jpg){kind=link}