Hypolimnas bolina

Great Eggfly

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Nymphalinae”
Estimated Lifespan 24 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 75
Total Number of Pupae Received: 12870
First Flown On: 10/14/02
Last Flown On: 04/12/24

Species Range:

  • “Australia” “Asia”

Host plants:

  • Larvae are known to feed on species of plants in the family Acanthaceae and the genus Portulaca
  • such as Portulaca oleracea.

Food Source

Adults are known to feed from a variety of nectar plants.

Etymology Of Name

The origin of the genus Hypolimnas is currently unknown. In Greek mythology, Bolina was a nymph that loved Apollo, but when she tried to leave him she drowns in the sea.

Habitat

The areas where they are most often observed include open fields, along forest edges, throughout secondary growth and visiting gardens.

Life history

Males patrol a territory looking for receptive females. After mating, the females lay their eggs in cluster on the host plants. The caterpillars feed in groups on the host plants until they are ready to pupate.

Flights

There are multiple generations each year, so it is possible to find adults in flight year round.

Fun Facts

The male Great Eggfly butterfly is extremely territorial. They can often be seen chasing other individuals or other species altogether. The Great Eggfly are so territorial that they will even investigate large mammals entering their territory, even humans.