Melanitis leda

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Discover Nature at JCU Animals Butterflies and Moths by scientific name Melanitis leda

Melanitis leda

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.