DANAINiE 
11 
EUPLCEA is a genus wholly Oriental and Australian, but most abundant in the former Region. It 
has been divided into several Sub-genera which are given in brackets. The males usually 
have an anal scent-gland, as in Danais , and a “brand” or male-mark in the forewing, between 
the submedian nervure and median nervule. 
Euploea (Isamia) midamus, Linn. 
One of the commonest and most conspicuous butterflies here, though it generally appears 
almost black when flying, the splendid deep blue or violet only showing in certain positions; it 
has a rather indolent floating or sailing flight, but can fly very smartly on occasion, as when toying 
with a mate. Exceedingly fond of flowers, especially Lantana , it also likes shade, though it will 
remain for hours under a blazing sun at its favourite blossoms, or flying slowly up and down 
exserting and withdrawing its bright yellow scent-gland. It is on the wing throughout the year, in 
some localities gathering in swarms in the autumn, in company with E. amymone. 
Fig. i, PI. II is from a $ taken in December. The £ is similar, but with less blue gloss 
and inclining still more to purple, whilst the brand in the forewing is wanting. The inner margin 
of the forewing is also shallow in the very deep in the Both sexes vary in the distinctness of 
the white marginal spots in the hindwing; the form with the spots practically obsolete being a 
Chinese variety which has been known as Isamia sinica. Sometimes the apical pale lilac spots in 
the forewing are largely developed, as may be seen by the figure facing page 11 , Euploea midamus y 
var., from a photograph of a $ taken at Macao, kindly sent by Professor Poulton. Occasionally 
the forewings have a glazed smear, as if a snail had crawled over them, but under a glass it appears 
to be due to scattered minute pale blue and whitish scales. E. amymone is also subject to this 
appearance. E. midamus has little, if any, seasonal change, but dwarf forms are not uncommon. 
Egg, yellowish-white, about twice as long as broad, striated slightly longitudinally, laid 
singly and usually on young shoots or the underside of leaves of the foodplant, Strophanthus 
diver gens , Grah., Nat. Ord. Apocynacece , a sprawling shrub, not known out of S. China. 
Larva, figured on PI. ia, Fig. 3.—Sometimes the larvae appear greenish in places, owing 
to the semi-transparent skin. They generally rest on the underside of the leaves. 
Pupa, the usual dumpy Euploea form, at first a bright waxy yellow, afterwards brilliantly 
gilded almost entirely, but with a few pale brown markings, and the spiracles marked in black. 
Attached by the tip of the abdomen only. 
The Euploeinoe seem liable to folding or creasing of the wings, due to not properly 
expanding immediately on leaving the pupa. 
Euploea (Terpsichrois) mulciber, Cram. 
Form linncei , Moore. Decidedly uncommon here, and the females seem more numerous 
than the males, contrary to the general rule, for I have taken about a dozen females for one male. 
