The adult butterflies on top are black with a large white patch on each wing. Underneath they are white with a black edge, and a black spot near the base of each hindwing costa. The wingspan is ~3 cm.The caterpillars of the Pied blue (
Pithecops dionisiu) are thought to feed on
Desmodium ormocarpiodes (Fabaceae).Further reading :Michael F. Braby, Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 2, p. 845. source:
lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyca/dionis.htmlThis species is found in New Guinea and the Solomons (various subspecies). The subspecies
dionisius is found in New Guinea and north Queensland (Cape York) and adjacent islands.
Pithecops dionisiu BOISDUVAL, 1832 (Pied Blue) [det. "nkanakis", 2011, based on this photo]Tribus: PolyommatiniSubfamily: Polyommatinae (Blues, eigentliche Blulinge) Family: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Blues and Coppers, Blulinge) Suborder: GlossataOrder: Lepidoptera (butterflies, Schmetterlinge)taxonomical info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_butterflies_of_AustraliaIndonesia, W-Papua, vic. Manokwari: Gunung Meja NP, ca. 100m asl., 12.08.2010_________________________________________________________________________(IMG_3841)