It is a medium size butterfly which is normally found flying with slow fluttering of wings. It also does not fly very high. Tawny coster butterfly's larval food is any species of passion flower climbers. In a garden hundreds of these caterpillars completely denude these climbers. These butterflies, unlike Lemon butterfly, which goes on depositing a lone egg at a time, Tawny coster female lays eggs in large groups. Also many of these congregate in breeding season & have a sort of egg laying competition. These are quite bold butterflies and can be observed very closely, without getting disturbed.
Normally other predators do not dare to harm this butterfly or its caterpillars. It is because they exude certain repulsive chemicals if attacked. However, I had not only seen but even videographed a praying mantis happily feeding on the caterpillar of this butterfly.
I was lucky to cover their whole life cycle in one season only. All the photographs are shot in one season only but on different days.
Normally other predators do not dare to harm this butterfly or its caterpillars. It is because they exude certain repulsive chemicals if attacked. However, I had not only seen but even videographed a praying mantis happily feeding on the caterpillar of this butterfly.
I was lucky to cover their whole life cycle in one season only. All the photographs are shot in one season only but on different days.
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