Introduction
There are 8 species in the genus Cupha, commonly known as Rustics. The commonest and most widespread species is erymanthis which occurs from India and Sri Lanka to China, and south to the Philippines, Sumatra and Java. The remaining species are distributed variously from the Philippines to Australia.
Cupha prosope is found in New Guinea and surrounding islands, and also in Australia from Cape York to New South Wales.
Habitats
This species is found in open areas of rainforest, e.g. along forest roads and riverbanks.
Lifecycle
The egg is greenish-yellow and globular. It is laid singly on leaves of Flacourtia, Scolopia, Breynia and Xylosma (Salicaceae). The fully grown larva is greenish-brown, dotted with white. It has an orange head and long black multi-branched dorsal and lateral spikes. The chrysalis is green mottled with silver. It has 3 pars of dorsal filaments, and long head horns, giving the impression of a fungal growth sprouting from a larval corpse.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes nectar at Lantana. Males commonly bask on the ground in glades or forest roads.