Family:
Lycaenidae
Subfamily:
Lycaeninae
Genus: Loxura
Species: atymnus fuconius
Common Name: Yamfly
Wingspan:
Forms:
Status in Singapore:
Life History: complete
This butterfly can be found in:
•Singapore
Hostplant(s):
Smilax bracteata
Description The Yamfly is reddish orange on the upperside, with a black apical border on the forewings. The underside is orange yellow with some obscure markings. The tails are tipped with white and twirl in slight breeze, in the hope of fooling predators that this is the head of the butterfly.
Habitat & Habits The Yamfly is a small but conspicuous butterfly which shares the same habitat with the prettier Branded Imperial. Indeed, both species feed on young shoots of the jungle creeper, Smilax, and can usually be found not far from their host plant.
The species is not often seen, but where encountered, it is usually found singly. The butterfly enjoys basking in bright sunlit spots and normally flies at low levels where it flits from perch to perch.