Today was that Blue Moon and there he was, my very own Blue Moon, flitting above the pathway running close to the sea shore at Opua.
The Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina), is also called the Blue Moon Butterfly in New Zealand or Common Eggfly, and is a species of nymphalid butterfly. H. bolina is a black-bodied butterfly with a wingspan of about 70–85 millimetres (2.8–3.3 in). The species has a high degree of sexual dimorphism. The female is mimetic with multiple morphs. Male The upper side of the wings is jet black, offset with three pairs of white spots, two on the forewing and one on the hind. These spots are surrounded by purple iridescence. In addition, the upper side of the hindwing bears a series of small white dots. Female The upper side of the wings of the female is a brownish black and does not have any spots like those of the male. The edges bear white markings which are similar to those of the Common Indian Crow. REF: Wikipedia |
Hypolimnas bolina nerina (Fabricius) Order: Lepidoptera Family: Nymphalidae Size: A large butterfly with wing span 100 mm Distribution: From Australia - often blown to New Zealand during late summer and autumn. Life History: Food plants such as Portulaca grow in New Zealand but the butterfly is not known to breed here. REF: Land Care Research |
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