Banded Imperial Butterfly - Eooxylides tharis

Banded Imperial - Eooxylides tharis is certainly one of the most beautiful species from the genera with long tails. It is recognised by it's particularly brilliant orange underside colouration, very distinctive markings, and extraordinarily long and twisted tails. The upperside wings are blackish brown, with broken white markings in the distal area of the hindwings.

This butterfly tends to skip purposefully from perch to perch, searching for food sources which include bird droppings and aphid secretions. Once settled they are usually reluctant to move, and oblivious to human disturbance, particularly if they are feeding.