Orange Oakleaf

Kallima inachus is a nymphalid butterfly known as the Orange Oakleaf or Indian Oakleaf. [1][2]

With the wings folded, the underside forms a leaf-like outline. A dark line crosses both wings as a central vein, with smaller lines resembling lateral veins. [2]

The species occurs in tropical East and Southeast Asia, including southern China. [1]

The caterpillars feed primarily on Strobilanthes shrubs. [1]

In a controlled experiment using domestic chicks, predators previously exposed to unmodified dead leaves waited longer before pecking Kallima inachus than chicks exposed to altered leaves or no leaves. The trials used refrigerated, motionless butterflies, isolating the effect of appearance from escape behaviour. [1]

Leaf-experienced chicks showed no significant difference in attack latency between butterflies and actual dead leaves. These results support masquerade: the butterfly’s appearance can cause a predator to classify it as an inedible object. [1]

Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.