Athyma Nefte - Ecology

Ecology

Caterpillar cylindrical, with six rows of fine branched spines, the dorsal being lower than the lateral and those on the third and fourth segments lower than the rest, the second segment unarmed; the bases of the legs set with short simple spines. Colour pure green, with a large brown patch on the ninth segment. Spines brown and head dark brown, head covered with short simple brown spines and white tubercles. Feeds on Glochidion velutinum and G. zelanicum. Pupa like that of Athyma ranga, but of the curious processes on the back, the posterior one is much longer and more inclined forwards.

At least on Borneo but probably elsewhere too, adults - like other Athyma - generally do not visit carrion or old fruit to drink liquids.