Introduction
The genus Phlyaria comprises of a single species cyara. Anatomically the butterfly is closely related to Uranothauma, indeed the upperside markings of both sexes of cyara are almost identical to those of Uranothauma heritsia – an insect that was until recently classified as a Phlyaria itself.
Phlyaria cyara is found over most of sub-Saharan Africa, as south as western Tanzania.
Habitats
This species is found in forested areas, particularly in secondary forest.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is Albizia ( Fabaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Males commonly come to the ground in open sunny areas, where they imbibe mineralised moisture from damp patches, usually amidst small aggregations of Uranothauma falkensteini and Leptotes pirithous. The female is very seldom seen, and presumably spends most of its life in the canopy.