The Grass Demon prefers forest edges or
clearings where dappled light is present. Its black and
white colouration may have evolved to take advantage of
the dappled light in these areas. The pied pattern which
seems prominent in the open is effectively disruptive in
the shade and the butterfly is difficult to locate once
it settles down.
The Grass Demon is a nectar lover and has a long
proboscis compared to body size. This makes it easy to
get to nectar of flowers with long corolla tubes. In
gardens, the Common Periwinkle Vinca rosea, and, the
Lantana are its favourite flowers. It rarely visits bird
or dung droppings. It is fond of water and often seen
perched on a stone in a stream-bed.
Pupation takes place on the same plant within a cell.
The pupa is long and cylindrical, watery green in colour.
It has a long conical projection in front of the head.
The eyes are easily seen but do not protrude out of the
outline of the pupa. The pupa broadens towards the
shoulders and the abdomen gradually tapers to the last
segment.
The most striking characteristic of the pupa is its
proboscis. It is long and thin generally extending up to
and a little beyond the tip of the abdomen. The pupa is
the same color of the caterpillar and unmarked. It is
covered in a thin layer of white powder. The body band
is neither too tight nor too loose and allows the pupa
to wriggle if disturbed. |
