Horsfield's Bushbrown
Common NameHorsfield's Bushbrown
Scientific NameMycalesis horsfieldii
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Primary Colorsbrown, black, tan, white
HabitatShady areas of forests, forest edges, bamboo thickets, and open woodlands.
Geographic RangeWestern Ghats of India, Sri Lanka.
Host Plantsgrasses (Poaceae family)
Flight PeriodMultiple broods, active throughout the year in its range, peaking during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are typically green and feed on grasses, eventually forming a chrysalis for pupation.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the distinct row of submarginal ocelli (eyespots) on the underside of both wings, especially prominent on the hindwing, set against a plain brown background. Its preference for shaded, damp habitats is also characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dull brown upperwings and a paler brown underside, featuring a prominent series of black ocelli ringed with yellow and centered with white pupils along the submarginal area of both forewings and hindwings.
