Melanitis leda

(Common Evening Brown, Evening Brown)

FAMILY	Nymphalidae
Species	Melanitis leda
Common name(s)	Common Evening Brown, Evening Brown
Main colour(s)	Brown
Distinctive features	Wingspan 60.63 mm; scallops on hind
Campus	Cairns, Townsville

Description

The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced grasses, best observed early in the morning or late in the evening. Mature larvae bright green with dense hairs arising from numerous minute white spots, anal segment with a forked projection; head usually green with a reddish-brown band. Adults dark reddish-brown with several black spots which have a white centre; lower surface yellowish-brown to grey brown with striations, lower margin of hind wing with about 4 scallops.