Clipper

Brown Clipper (*Parthenos sylvia*) Distribution: Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo mainly Wingspan: 100–125mm Diet: Nectar IUCN red list status: Not Evaluated The *Parthenos* genus comprises three main species: *Parthenos sylvia* (Brown Clipper), *Parthenos tigrina* and *Parthenos aspila*. While *Parthenos Sylvia* is distributed across Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, *Parthenos tigrina* and *Parthenos aspila* are endemic solely to Papua New Guinea. These species primarily inhabit rainforests with evergreen trees, typically found from sea level up to an altitude of 300 meters. The larvae of *Parthenos sylvia* are brownish with white dots, featuring greenish dorsal and lateral stripes. The chrysalis appears in two distinct forms, either pale green or dark olive, and suspends itself by a cremaster from the underside of a leaf. As adults, Brown Clippers are robust and fast-flying butterflies, characterized by periods of gliding interspersed with rapid, flickering wing beats. When disturbed, they fly up to a height of about 3 meters, circle briefly, and resettle nearby. They feed on the nectar of Lantana and various other flowering plants. The adult Brown Clipper has a distinct anatomy with a head, a thorax and an abdomen that features olive-green bars.