Dear Dipak Sawant, Well, I think that it is not a parasite, but a weevil (Coleoptera beetle), which feeds on plant leaf and sap. It had just landed on the Common Emigrant Butterfly for a support to crawl upto the branches. nice observation. with best wishes, rajib
Rajib Rudra Tariang Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Digboi College,Digboi. Dist. Tinsukia. Assam. Pin: 786171 Mobile:+91-98541-38188 Email:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Contact Add; Rajib Rudra Tariang, Kanoi College Hostel Road, Naliapool, Dibrugrah. Dist. Dibrugarh, Assam. Pin: 786001 Pin --- On Mon, 16/8/10, Dipak Sawant <[email protected]> wrote: From: Dipak Sawant <[email protected]> Subject: [ButterflyIndia] Ecto-parasite on Butterfly ? To: "butterflyindia" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, 16 August, 2010, 5:04 PM Hello Friends, Last week I clicked this photograph in my Tadoba visit. I was clicking photos of some wild flowers when an Emigrant came and sat on flower just next to me. I quickly capture two photos of this butterfly before it realized my presence. While cliking I did not realised it, but Later while reviewing the photos I found something unusual on the body of butterfly. The object is out of focus. But I think it is some kind of parasite. Experts plz comment. Dipak -- Dipak Sawant Research Personal, Monitoring Tiger, Co-predator, their Prey and habitat, Wildlife Institute of India, Deharadoon, [email protected], [email protected] 09595366245, 09410064948 -- Enjoy
