Stub-tailed Satyr
Common NameStub-tailed Satyr
Scientific NameMelanitis leda
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)70
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, reddish-brown
HabitatForests, woodlands, scrub, grasslands, often near water
Geographic RangeTropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australia
Host Plantsgrasses, rice, sugarcane, bamboo
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with horned heads and two caudal filaments. Pupae are suspended head down, camouflaged as leaves or twigs.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive dead-leaf mimicry on the underside, including the irregular hindwing margin. They are often found resting on the ground among leaf litter, especially during the day.
Description
A medium-sized brown butterfly with highly variable undersides that mimic a dead leaf, featuring irregular wing margins and often subtle ocelli.
