Commander
17-Sep-2006, 11:11 PM
Just to feature the male and two female forms of the Colour Sergeant (Athyma nefte subrata). The female form-neftina is the commoner of the two forms, and is more often seen. When I was fortunate to encounter 5 of the caterpillars of this species many years ago, and bred them on Glochidion sp., the adults that hatched were 3 males and two female f-neftina. The orange f-neftina sometimes looks like a very big Lascar, but the size and the more powerful flight would put any doubt to rest.
So obviously, the female f-subrata which is the brown form, is the rarer. Although this female form has been seen many times before, it may also be confused with the Chocolate Sailor (Neptis harita harita) in the field. So for those of you who have come across these two species in the field, observe their flight patterns. The Sailor has the more feeble "sailing" flight like other members of the Neptis genus, whilst the Colour Sergeant has a more robust and powerful flight and does not glide as much.
So obviously, the female f-subrata which is the brown form, is the rarer. Although this female form has been seen many times before, it may also be confused with the Chocolate Sailor (Neptis harita harita) in the field. So for those of you who have come across these two species in the field, observe their flight patterns. The Sailor has the more feeble "sailing" flight like other members of the Neptis genus, whilst the Colour Sergeant has a more robust and powerful flight and does not glide as much.