About Vanessa indica (Herbst, 1794)
This butterfly species, Vanessa indica, resembles Vanessa cardui but has darker ground colour on both the upper and lower wing surfaces, with deeper, richer orange markings. It differs from V. cardui in several key features. On the underside of the forewing, the ochraceous orange-red colour covering the disc and across the cell is proportionally smaller in extent, and is uniform rather than fading towards the cell apex; the upper four spots of the preapical transverse series on the black apical area are very small. The full body length of this butterfly measures approximately 5 inches (13 cm). On the hindwing, the postdiscal transverse band is much narrower and shorter, does not extend below vein 1, and is inwardly margined by a series of broad, black subcrescentic marks; the tornal angle has a small patch of violet scales, which is inwardly bordered by a short black transverse line. The entire wing underside is much darker than that of V. cardui, with the orange red on the forewing disc and cell restricted the same way it is on the forewing upperside; there are three small, transversely arranged blue spots beyond the cell. The hindwing underside has comparatively very dark, purplish mottling with slender white margins, and is shaded across the disc with rich dark olive-brown; the postdiscal series of ocelli are dark and somewhat unclear; there is an inner subterminal transverse series of blue markings, and an outer, much more slender transverse series of black lunules. The cilia of both the forewings and hindwings are white, alternating with brown. The antennae are black and tipped with pale ochraceous; the head, thorax, and abdomen are covered in dark olive-brown pubescence; on the underside of the body, the palpi, thorax, and abdomen are pale ochraceous brown. Vanessa indica is not reported to be a pest on any crop except ramie. It causes considerable damage to ramie by feeding on the plant’s young tender leaves, which negatively affects ramie growth. The larvae of this butterfly feed on tender young leaves. Adult females lay their eggs on tender leaves; once larvae emerge, they feed on the young tender leaves, preferring the neck region of the leaves. This feeding damage causes leaves to hang loosely before eventually drying out. Caterpillars feed on young leaves, and later fold leaves so their two margins are secured together with silky web. Pupation occurs inside this folded leaf, before the adult butterfly finally emerges. Vanessa indica is found in high altitude regions above 2,000 feet (610 m) across India, including the Nilgiri Hills in southern India. It also occurs on smaller hill ranges in Peninsular India, such as the Nandi Hills near Bangalore.
