Bassarona dunya dunya - Koh Phi Phi - Thailand

[wollastoni]

Another GIANT of Koh Phi Phi : Bassarona dunya dunya !

This very large Nymphalidae, about 90/100mm large, is a 100% forest species. Our Apatura iris looks like a Lycaenidae in comparison of this beast !

Not uncommon on Phi Phi island, I have seen it on 2 different forestry areas. His very large size and his black color with white dots give him a very strong impact.

It is a rather calm butterfly, which often stays on leaves with open wings to try and warm its body with the few sun rays that penetrates the deep tropical forest.

Recto :

Verso :

Hope you like it.

[Adam Cotton]

This and related species love fermenting fruit on the ground, and can easily be caught using bait traps hanging just above ground level.

Yesterday I caught a close relative, Euthalia monina, at my farm as it had flown into a cage and couldn't find the way out. Euthalia monina is tiny in comparison, smaller than Aglais urticae.

Adam.