Introduction
There are 24 species in the genus Polyura, most of which are found in the Oriental region, although one species posidonius is restricted to Tibet and west China; 6 or 7 are endemic to various islands, e.g. andrewsi from Christmas Island and caphontis from Fiji; and one, pyrrhus reaches Queensland in Australia.
The butterflies are characterised by their distinctive wing shape with twin tails on the hindwings, a feature strongly reminiscent of the African Charaxes. Most have dark brown uppersides with bands of dazzling creamy white which vary in size and shape from one species to another. These bands are repeated on the underside, usually in a beautiful shade of pale green. In a few species such as narcaeus and dolon the underside is almost entirely white.
Polyura narcaeus is found in northeast India, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China and Vietnam.
Habitats
To be completed.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Males are often seen imbibing mineralised moisture from damp sand, gravel, or road surfaces. It is common to find 2 or 3 males of mixed Polyura species aggregating on the ground, feeding avidly at dung. When feeding they are almost oblivious of humans. If deliberately disturbed however they fly up to settle on tree foliage nearby, and return as soon as they sense danger has passed. The flight is very rapid and powerful.