Introduction
The genus Cyrestis comprises of 25 species, of which 17 occur in the Oriental region. Only 4 occur in West Malaysia – themire, cocles, nivea and maenalis. An additional species theresae occurs on Sumatra and Borneo, while the remainder are found variously from India to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon islands; except for a single species camilla, found in Africa and Madagascar.
Most Cyrestis species have thin wavy lines on their wings reminiscent of map contour lines, hence the popular name. Many also have a small patch of orange at the anal angle of the hindwing.
Cyrestis acilia is found in Sulawesi, Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, the Solomon islands and most of the smaller islands of the Papuan region.
Habitats
This species is found in primary and secondary rainforest, at elevations below about 800m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is Ficus.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes have a gentle but deceptively rapid gliding flight. They will venture out of the forest to bask on gravel roads on overcast days, but in sunny weather usually remain in the shade. Males sometimes visit moist spots on the ground in forest edge habitats. The butterflies commonly rest underneath leaves with their wings fully outspread.