Branded imperial
Its caterpillars feed on Smilax vines, and wing pattern varies enough across Sumatra, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore that entomologists still debate which subspecies some populations belong to.
| Where | Forest paths, fringes and gaps |
|---|---|
| Size | 28 to 34 mm wingspan |
| When | January to December |
The Branded imperial has blackish brown upperside wings broken by white markings near the hindwing edge, and unusually long, twisted tails trailing from each hindwing above a brilliant orange underside.
Caterpillars feed on Smilax vines such as Smilax bracteata, and adults fly along forest paths, fringes and gaps from Myanmar and Thailand through Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Brown, Orange, White
Active
Day
To people
Not known to bother people; it is easily overlooked at rest despite its bright underside.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Has shorter, less twisted tails and a duller, more uniform underside without the vivid orange of the Branded imperial.
Questions
Is the Branded imperial dangerous to people?
Not known to bother people; it is easily overlooked at rest despite its bright underside.
When can you see the Branded imperial?
The Branded imperial can be seen from January to December, by day.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, CC BY 4.0, GBIF Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Blues and coppers›Eooxylides
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.