Introduction
There are 3 species in the genus Parthenos. The commonest and most widespread is sylvia, which is found from India to the Philippines, and south to Papua New Guinea. The remaining species, aspila and tigrina, are both endemic to New Guinea.
Parthenos tigrina is found in West Irian and Papua New Guinea. It almost certainly also occurs on many of the surrounding islands.
Habitats
This species is found in primary rainforest, usually in the vicinity of rivers, at elevations between sea level and about 800 metres.
Lifecycle
I have no data regarding tigrina. The lifecycle is likely to be very similar to that of sylvia as follows: The larva is brown, speckled with white dots and has broad greenish dorsal and lateral stripes. Each segment bears 4 multi-branched spines, purplish brown at the base and red on the outer half. The larval foodplants include Adenia (Passifloraceae) and Tinospora (Menispermaceae). The chrysalis occurs in 2 forms, either pale green or dark olive. It is plain in appearance, without protuberances, and is suspended by the cremaster from beneath a leaf.
Adult behaviour
This is a powerful and fast flying butterfly. The flight consists of short periods of gliding, alternating every few seconds with shallow but rapid flickering wing beats.