Zeuxidia amethystus, the common Saturn, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1865. This butterfly is relatively large and striking. Its forewings have a broad iridescent-blue band with a similar blue patch on the hindwing. Wikipedia
The Saturn is a medium-sized butterfly, usually with a wingspan of 110-130mm. The males are black above, with a broad iridescent blue discal band on the forewing with a large tornal patch of the same colour on the hindwing. In the female, the blue is replaced with a pale yellow fascia and dull orange on the apical area of the hindwings.
The Saturn is a common butterfly along jungle paths, usually feeding on fallen fruits on the forest floor. The cryptic undersides camouflage it very well, amongst the dead leaves and twigs. Very often, as one walks along the paths, the butterfly springs up from the ground as it is disturbed and very quickly flies away. Butterfly Cycle
Location: Chesnut Nature Park – Feb 2022
