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smooth-eyed bushbrown or dark grass-brown

Code: Butterfly Life
Skills: Butterflies of India
Website: www.savetreesavelife.org

Project Description

The dark grass-brown butterfly (Orsotriaena medus) is a butterfly that is dark brown above and is found in Kerala, India. It is also known as the smooth-eyed bushbrown. This butterfly is found in south Asia, southeast Asia, and Australia. The larvae feed on grasses like rice plants, sugarcanes, and para grass. They are mainly crepuscular, but can sometimes be active during the day.

Description: The dark grass-brown butterfly has a medium-sized wingspan of 45 to 55 mm (1.8 to 2.2 inches). Its upper side is dark brown with a thin marginal pale border. Interestingly, there are no eyespots on the upper side of its wings. On the underside, it features a white discal band that runs across both wings. Additionally, there are five eyespots on the underside of its wings, with variations in size and placement.
Historical Name: In the past, this butterfly was unfortunately referred to as the “n-word” due to its dark brown color. However, Australian faunal works have since renamed it to the more socially acceptable name of “smooth-eyed bushbrown”. In India, it is also known as “medus brown”, while in Southeast Asia, it goes by the name "dark grass-brown".
Distribution and Habitat: The dark grass-brown butterfly is native to India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, southern Yunnan, Malaysia, the Indonesian archipelago, the Philippines, New Guinea, New Britain, and Australia. It can be found in various regions across these countries.