64 The Queensland Naturalist. Vol. 2 
EUTEPIS (CHARAXES) SEMPRONIUS. 
By R. lllidge. 
Read 29th March, 1917, With Exhibit. 
Haying taken some fine specimens of this butterfly 
lately, a few notes on the insect may, perhaps, possess some 
interest. 
Our butterfly, Charaxes sempronius of Fabricius, is 
found on the East coast of Australia, from Cape York to 
Sydney, and it is also known from the Port Darwin and Roper 
River districts. 
The insect, as may be inferred from its robust appearance, 
is very powerful on the wing. On fine sunny days, it will 
sail along with scarcely a flap of its wings. It has a habit 
of flying round on the same beat many times, and thus 
would lead the novice to imagine the insects were very 
plentiful. It is fond of settling on the same particular twig 
time after time, and even if chased away returns. A bad 
habit the creature has is that of sucking the fermented sap 
of wounded trees, and thus becoming partly intoxicated. 
Whilst in this condition, we have frequently captured them 
with our fingers. I have seen them settle in places where 
sap is exuding, and push away many other insects, and even 
wasps of large size are driven off, and Sempronius will snap 
his wings together as if in glee at their defeat. At the same 
time, however, as soon as he appears in sight, he is at once 
attacked by many other butterflies, but these he easily eludes, 
and always attains his objective. 
The food plant of the insect consists of various species 
of Eeguminosse, such as Acacia decurrens, A. podalyricB- 
folia, etc., also many introduced plants of the same order, 
as Robinia, Caesalpinia, Gleditschia, etc. It often lays eggs 
on plants of this order, however, which appear to be unsuitable 
as food. The eggs and young larvae may frequently be found 
on Poinciana, but in no case under observation have they 
lived. 
The larva and’ pupa are welt known, and have been 
described more than once, and the larva is also figured in 
Oliffs work on Australian Butterflies. The larva feeds 
mostly at night, and during the day remains quiescent on 
the upper surface of a leaf, on which it has spun a strong 
web to secure itself from being blown off during high winds, 
as it frequents tall trees. 
Local specimens are finer than those I have seen from 
other parts. The largest example shown is 4|in. in expanse, 
and occasionally they reach Sin. The average of the females 
is 4^in., and of the males 3Jin. 
