Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore) | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Acraeaterpsicore,thetawnycoster,isasmall,53–64millimetres(2.1–2.5in),leathery-winged...Acraeaterpsicorehasatoughexoskeletonwhichenablestheadulttosurviveafewpecksofabirdoreventhebitesofalizard....Thecaterpillarsof

Species of butterfly

Acraea terpsicore, the tawny coster,[1] is a small, 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), leathery-winged butterfly common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators. This species and the yellow coster (Acraea issoria) are the only two Indian representatives of the predominantly African tribe Acraeini.[2] It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore,[3][4] and recently Australia.[5]

There has been long standing debate among taxonomists on whether the correct name for this species is Acraea terpsicore Linnaeus, 1758[6][7] or Acraea violae Fabricius, 1775.[8] Pierre and Bernaud, in 1997, stated that they verified the type in the Linnean Society of London and considered A. violae the same species as A. terpsicore.[1] Honey and Scoble, in 2001, ar...