Phylum: ARTHROPODA
Class: INSECTA
Order: LEPIDOPTERA
Suborder: DITRYSIA
Superfamily: PAPILIONOIDEA
Family: NYMPHALIDAE
Subfamily: BIBLIDINAE
Tribe: CALLICORINI
Genus: DIAETHRIA
Scientific name: Diaethria neglecta (Salvin, 1869)
Lifecycle: The eggs, in common with those of other Diaethria species, are whitish, and laid singly on the leaves of the foodplant.
The caterpillar is green, with a slightly roughened texture, and bears a pair of short spikes on the anal segment. The head bears a pair of very long whorled spikes which are pointed forward. The caterpillar rests on the upper surface of a leaf with the thoracic segments raised and the head pointing downwards.
The chrysalis is suspended by the cremaster from a leaf or stem. It is green, with a dorsal keel, and projecting palpi.
Adult behaviour: Both sexes are attracted to rotting fruit. The males are strongly attracted to urine-soaked sand, and also imbibe dissolved minerals from damp soil, road surfaces and rock faces. They are very active butterflies, easily disturbed, and rarely settle for more than a few seconds at a time in one spot, although they will return repeatedly to the same patch of ground.
They are usually seen in two's or three's, but sometimes congregate in large numbers at favoured spots, often on sandbanks close to jetties, or at riverbanks where laundry is washed.
When not feeding, males will perch on the upper surface of leaves at a height of about 3 metres, awaiting passing females.
