Early stage of the Common Bush Brown (Telinga janardana sagittigera)

 Life History of the Common Bush Brown (Telinga janardana sagittigera)

Butterfly description:

The Common Bush Brown does not occurs in Singapore, but relatively common in forest undergrowth at moderate elevations in Malaysia. Adults butterflies are typically sighted flying around grassy patches. Similar to other Mycalesis members, the butterfly fly in an erratic manner. The Common Bush Brown is pale greyish brown on underside, with uniform size ocelli on both underside wings.

Host plant description:

Bred on Axonopus compressus (Common Cow Grass)

Digitaria longiflora

Photo of host plants:

Host plant: to be confirm

Early stage description:

Egg laid singly on the underside of host plant (photo above). The caterpillars are given the leaves of Axonopus compressus (Common Cow Grass) as alternative host plant.

Life cycle

Egg: 3 days
Larva: 23 days
Pupa: 8 days

The egg of the Common Bush Brown takes about 3 days to hatch.

Head capsule of the caterpillar clearly visible through the egg shell.

The newly hatched caterpillar has cylindrical body and whitish in colour, as soon as the caterpillar start to feed on the leaf, the body turned into a greenish undertone. On the day 3, the dorsum of the last three segments turns reddish. The 1st instar last about 4 days.

Two views of 1st instar caterpillar

The 2nd instar caterpillar has a head capsule with different shade of light brown, the horns become pointed. The two anal processes are longer and pronounced. The body is yellowish green. The 2nd instar last about 3 days.

Two views of 2nd instar caterpillar

The 3rd instar caterpillar resembles the previous instar. The head capsule is darker brown, body is yellowish brown. This stage takes 3 days to complete.

3rd instar larva

The 4th instar caterpillar bears a close resemblance of 3rd instar, with darker yellow-greenish body. This stage last about 5 days.

4th instar larva, dormant prior to its moult

The 5th caterpillar, now with dark reddish brown body and head capsule. There's a narrow dark band on the dorsum of the thorax. In addition, two zigzag lines adorns each side of the body surface. The head capsule turns increasing dark to black as growth progresses. This instar last for 7 days. Pre-pupatory last about 1 day.

Two view of 5th instar caterpillar

Larva in Pre-pupatory postion

The pupa is golden brown in colour. It takes 8 days before eclosion event takes place.

2 view of a pupa of Common Bush Brown

Acknowledgement: 

Goh LC - Egg collection. Provide the pupation period and host plant name.

Reference:

• The Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula, by A. Steven Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 5th Edition revised by George Michael Van Der Poorten and Nancy E. Van Der Poorten