Discolampa Ilissus
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Discolampa is a genus of
butterflies Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea, characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The oldest butterfly fossi ...
in the family
Lycaenidae Lycaenidae is the second-largest family (biology), family of butterflies (behind Nymphalidae, brush-footed butterflies), with over 6,000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 30% of ...
. The genus ranges from
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
to
New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...
.


Family

Lycaenidae Lycaenidae is the second-largest family (biology), family of butterflies (behind Nymphalidae, brush-footed butterflies), with over 6,000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 30% of ...
, commonly known as the blues or gossamer-winged butterflies.


Distribution

They are found in
Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...
, ranging from Sri Lanka to New Guinea.


Appearance

* Size: They are likely small to medium-sized butterflies, though specific measurements are difficult to find. * Banded Blue Pierrot (Discolampa ethion): This is the best-documented species. It has: ** Upper wings: Dark blue with a broad white band across the middle. The inner and outer edges of the white band are edged with black. The base and edges of the wings are also black. ** Underside: Mostly white with black markings that resemble ribbons and spots. ** Body: Black head, antennae, thorax, and abdomen. The palpi (mouthparts) have a white stripe down the middle. * Other species (
Discolampa albula Discolampa is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The genus ranges from Sri Lanka to New Guinea. Family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the blues or gossamer-winged butterflies. Distribution They are found in Southeast Asia ...
& Discolampa ilissus): Information on their appearance is scarce, but they are likely to be similarly small with blue or brown upper wings and potentially white markings.


Behavior

* Diet: Like most Lycaenidae butterflies, Discolampa larvae likely feed on the leaves of specific leguminous plants (plants with bean-like seedpods). * Habitat: They are found in Southeast Asian forests, particularly in areas with good tree cover. * Flight: Specific flight patterns are unknown, but Lycaenidae butterflies are typically weak fliers and prefer short, flitting movements.


Species

There are only three known species in the Discolampa genus: *''
Discolampa albula Discolampa is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The genus ranges from Sri Lanka to New Guinea. Family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the blues or gossamer-winged butterflies. Distribution They are found in Southeast Asia ...
'' (Grose-Smith, 1897) - West Irian (New Guinea) *'' Discolampa ethion'' (Westwood, 1851) *'' Discolampa ilissus'' (C. & R. Felder, 1859) - Sulawesi


References


External links


Funet
Taxonomy
Images representing ''Discolampa''
at Bold Lycaenidae genera Taxa named by Lambertus Johannes Toxopeus {{Polyommatini-stub