Scarce Blue Diadem Butterfly (Hypolimas monteironis) | PUPAE

Hypolimnas monteironis, the Scarce Blue Diadem, is a large and very striking butterfly species native to several countries in Africa - our livestock comes from butterfly farms in Kenya. It is very active in the butterfly house, with males exhibiting chasing behaviour - following other butterflies of their own and other species. This species is sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting bright blue patterning while females are somewhat duller in shades of brown, white and grey. The adult butterflies typically live for a few weeks to a month, enjoying warmth and sunshine, and mate quite readily. 

The host plant for this butterfly is an unfriendly-seeming 'Nettle Tree' (Urera), which is probably impossible to obtain outside of its native range, however H. monteironis has been recorded to lay eggs in captivity on Nettle (Urtica) and Amaranthus. Larvae seem to do well on both, but females may not always lay eggs, even if they have mated. Adult butterflies seem to prefer fruit juices as a food source, but are also found nectaring from flowers. 

Difficulty - Easy (1/10) in all stages.

Host plants - Nettles (Urtica dioica), Amaranthus.

Conditions - Room temperature or warmer; enjoys humidity in all stages but eggs are particularly sensitive.

Lifecycle - Continually brooded; adults can live for several weeks.