Common Eggfly
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Common Eggfly: Hypolimnas bolina It is sexually dimorphic to the extent that many observers assume that the female and male are two different species. The male (higher photograph) is a beautiful sheeny blackish purple, with a large white spots edged in the purple on each wing. The female (lower photograph) has the sheeny blackish purple as a background, with patches of the purple edged white and orange on the forewings. Males are quite territorial. They sit on a favourite perch such as a leaf on a shrub, and fly out to challenge other males of the same species, but often also other butterflies. This behaviour and competition has been the subject of recent research by Dr. Darrell Kemp at James Cook University in Cairns. They are often seen at the edge of the rainforest along the Cape Tribulation road.
Script : Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide 
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
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