Sexes are similar. It flies at all
heights, but seldom above ten to fifteen feet above
ground. It has a characteristic slow meandering flight
and moves forward with a few wing beats followed by a
spell of gliding. The wings are held in a 'V' shaped
angle during the glide. It is attracted to a wide
variety of wild flowers but avoids most ornamentals. The
males visit wet soil and muddy patches, though
infrequently. In the evenings, they roost in large
numbers inside the canopy of trees by hanging onto dead
twigs or small bare branches.
When foraging, the males are irresistibly attracted in
large numbers to dead plant parts of Heliotropium
indicum or the pods of Crotalaria pallida. Once settled,
they are quite inconspicuous. When surprised they take
to the air, their wings often hitting against each other
or the vegetation to produce a rustling sound. But they
seldom fly far. While feeding, they frequently open and
close their wings in a slow and controlled manner. The
reason for this is unknown. It joins migratory flights. |
