IUCN RED LIST
Established in 1964, The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups, through criteria such as rate of decline, population size and area of geographic distribution as:
- Extinct (EX) – This species is no longer extant
- Extinct in the wild (EW) – Survives only in captivity, or through cultivation often outside native range
- Critically endangered (CR) – In an extremely critical state
- Endangered (EN) – Very high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable (VU) – At high risk of unnatural (human-caused) extinction
- Near Threatened (NT) – Close to being endangered in the near future
- Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant in the wild
- Data Deficient (DD) – Inadequate information to assess extinction risk
- Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been assessed
The wings are predominantly rich chocolate-brown with darker bands and several eye-like spots (ocelli) on both forewings and hindwings. The underside is paler and provides excellent camouflage among dry leaves and vegetation.
The Chocolate Pansy is a sun-loving and territorial butterfly that often rests on low vegetation or bare ground with its wings fully open. It exhibits rapid, low-level flight and frequently returns to the same perch. Males actively defend territories and engage in aerial chases with rivals.
The Chocolate Pansy is primarily a resident species and does not undertake long-distance migrations. Local seasonal dispersal may occur in response to rainfall, vegetation growth, and habitat conditions.
Females lay eggs singly on host plants belonging mainly to the family Acanthaceae, including species of Hygrophila, Ruellia, and Barleria. Breeding occurs throughout the year in tropical regions, with peak activity generally observed during and after the monsoon season.
The prominent eyespots on the wings serve as an anti-predator defense by startling or misleading predators. The brown coloration provides effective camouflage against tree bark, soil, and dry leaves. Seasonal variation in wing coloration enhances survival under different environmental conditions.
Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants and occasionally obtain nutrients from moist soil, decaying vegetation, and fallen fruits. Caterpillars feed on leaves of host plants belonging primarily to the Acanthaceae family.
The Chocolate Pansy inhabits open woodlands, scrublands, forest edges, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, parks, and urban green spaces.
