Siren (Hestina persimilis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Hestina (?) japonica ("of Japan")

Adult Siren (Hestina persimilis) at Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan - June 2013

Featured Subspecies: Hestina persimilis japonica
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 60-80mm
NOT EVALUATED IN UK / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

This large species is another one that is found in fairly everyday settings in Japan, yet is as large as the largest British species.  I saw this species in the park around Osaka Castle where they were fairly numerous. They seem to enjoy patrolling up and down tree trunks, possibly feeding on sap. 

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hestina
SUBSPECIES: H. p. japonica, H. j. persimilis, H. p. zella, H. p. chinensis

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ?

Common resident seen in Summer

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Several seen around Osaka 

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