Tailed Palmfly is a butterfly from the Nymphalidae family (Brush-footed butterflies) commonly found in the southern parts of India, including Sahyadris.
Exif data: f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/125sec, +1 step, 85mm, Nikon D7100, Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G VR. Date: October 26, 2014
The above photo was taken from Cheruvally in Kottayam district of Kerala. The butterfly is common here. It was sitting calmly on this long leaf blade in the morning. So I could manage to get some pictures. But I could not get a look of the upper side as the wings were closed; it’s like that mostly. Will try to add more pictures later.
More about Tailed Palmfly
In size comparison, this butterfly is bigger than the Common Four Ring.
Caudata was a race of Elymnias hypermnestra (Common Palmfly); undularis was another one. Now caudata is sorted out to be a different species. The undularis remains to be a race of hypermnestra and is found more towards the northern parts.
As the name suggests, its food plants are palm trees, like coconut (family – Arecaceae). It is common to see this butterfly sun basking on coconut leaves.
There is a tail on vein 4 of the hind wing, which is longer than that of Elymnias hypermnestra. The upper side is primarily black in color. The upper fore wings have bluish white spots near termen and apex. These spots are less merged for caudata than the other one. These tips can help to identify and distinguish this beauty. The upper side of the hind wing is dark orange colored on the distal area or beyond. The under side is brownish in color with a white patch near the apex. Also there are uneven white or yellow markings throughout the under side.
Scientific name: Elymnias caudata
Family: Nymphalidae
