Blue pansy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blue pansy
J. o. oenone, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Papilio oenone Linnaeus, 1758 Papilio clelia Cramer, [1775] Vanessa epiclelia Boisduval, 1833 Precis clelia ab. subepiclelia Strand, 1911 Precis clelia ab. triocellata Strand, 1911 Precis clelia ab. vosseleriana Strand, 1911 Precis clelia ab. viridata Strand, 1911 Precis clelia ab. subvirilis Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. bipupillata Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. posterior Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. subtriocellata Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. subbipupillata Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. virilis Strand, 1912 Precis clelia ab. caeruleffulgiens Heslop, 1962

Junonia oenone, the blue pansy or dark blue pansy, is a Nymphalid butterfly native to Africa. "Blue pansy" is also used in India to describe Junonia orithya.

Subspecies

• Junonia oenone oenone from continental Africa.
• Junonia oenone epiclelia Boisduval, 1833 from Madagascar, Aldabra, Astove, Assumption and Cosmoledo Island.

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  J. o. oenone, Uganda

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  J. o. epiclelia male, Madagascar

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  J. o. epiclelia female, Madagascar

Description

The wingspan is 40–52 mm. The upper surface of the forewings is black with white markings towards the apex. The upper surface of the hindwings is black with white markings on the outer edge, and a characteristic large metallic-blue spot. This blue spot is smaller and more a dull purple in females. The underside of the forewings is brown with white markings corresponding to those on the upper surface. The under surface of the hindwings is almost uniform brown.

Larval food plants

The larvae feed on Adhatoda densiflora, Mackaya bella, Justicia natalensis and Asystasia (A. gangetica), Isoglossa, Pualowilhelmia and Ruella species.