Evening Brown
Melanitis leda
Identification: Wingspan 65 mm. Orange-brown above, mottled camouflage pattern on underside. Several eyespots above and below. Has different seasonal forms. In winter often has darker underside with dark blotches.
Habitat and Range: Wide variety of habitats. Northern NT, eastern Qld and NSW sometimes as far south as Sydney. Also Africa east to India and south-east Asia, New Guinea and south-west Pacific islands.
Notes: During the day, rests on the ground where its folded wings make it difficult to detect. Flies at dusk. Adults do not visit flowers but suck the juice from fermenting fruit. The caterpillars are green with horned heads and feed on a variety of grasses.
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