Description
The Starry Bob looks very similar to the Chestnut Bob (Iambrix salsala), but is much rarer, and found mainly in forested areas within the Central Catchment Reserves. The main distinguishing characteristic to separate the two is described as the silvery spot in space 5, which is placed midway between the cell-end and the termen, whereas this spot is placed just beyond the end of the cell in the Chestnut Bob. Also, the cell spot is rarely present in the Chestnut Bob, whilst a spot is always present in the cell in the Starry Bob. The upperside of the Starry Bob is generally darker, with a few post discal spots on the forewings of the female.

Habitat & Habits
This species is not often seen, and usually singly feeding at flowers in forested areas. It is a lowland species and widely distributed in Malaysia and Singapore.

Other Observations
Often confused with its lookalike cousin, the more common Chestnut Bob.

Early Stages
The caterpillar is pale green, with a yellow head with black markings. It has been bred on a species of bamboo.

Further Reading