The Blue Pansy butterfly, also known by its scientific name Junonia Orithya, is a stunning and widespread species found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. This striking creature makes its home in various environments such as forests, grasslands, and gardens. It belongs to the nymphalid family, which boasts other vibrant members like the monarch and the viceroy.
Medium-sized by nature, the Blue Pansy butterfly has a wingspan measuring between 40-55mm. Well-adapted for long-distance travel, this strong flier features vividly colored wings. Males display a brilliant blue hue with black borders and eyespots, while females exhibit brown wings with black edges. Notably, males tend to have a slightly larger size and more pronounced black border than their female counterparts.
The life cycle of the Blue Pansy butterfly consists of four stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Females lay their eggs on an array of plant types such as milkweeds, thistles, and nettles which subsequently serve as food sources upon hatching. Sporting a black or brown body paired with an orange head, these caterpillars possess poisonous traits that deter predators with their unpleasant taste.
After several weeks of growth, the caterpillars move on to the next stage by forming pupae. These hard, brown structures dangle from a silky thread before eventually giving way to fully-grown adult butterflies after an additional two-week period.
Despite being present in Nepal, the Blue Pansy butterfly is not as prevalent as it used to be due to habitat loss brought on by deforestation for development purposes. Although not classified as endangered, this dazzling species faces mounting challenges posed by habitat loss and fragmentation.