Tufted Jungleking (Thauria aliris)

OTHER NAMES: Tufted Jungle King

Latin Etymology: Thauria (?) aliris ("approach")

Adult Tufted Jungleking (subspecies T. a. pseudaliris) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Thauria aliris pseudaliris
Wingspan: 110-120mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A huge species of butterfly found in South East Asia, the Tufted Jungleking has camoflaged outer wings for when feeding amongst the leaf litter, but it's upper wings possess bright blue-whute stripes which it can flash at predators to startle them.  It feeds on fermented sugars of fallen fruits, and apparently can even get drunk on them.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Thauria
SUBSPECIES: T. a. aliris, T. a. intermedia, T. a. merguia, T. a. pseudaliris
 
- Sighting Locations -
MALAYSIA - A widespread but local resident.
 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: One seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto