Insects diurnal

Long-banded Silverline

Cigaritis lohita

A shimmering jewel of the garden, the Long-banded Silverline dazzles with metallic markings and clever mimicry that protects it from the sharpest eyes.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 27–42 mm (1.1–1.6 inches)

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Colors

Tawny orange underside with silver-centered reddish bands; males have iridescent violet-blue uppersides, while females are grayish-brown.

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Key Features

Two pairs of long, thread-like tails on each hindwing
Continuous silver-centered bands across the underside of the wings
Orange-ringed black eye-spots at the base of the tails
Rapid, erratic flight pattern
Distinctive 'false head' behavior when perched

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak visibility during the warmer, sunnier months of the dry season.

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Diet Adults feed on nectar from small, clustered flowers. The caterpillars are polyphagous, feeding on the foliage of various plants including Terminalia, Guioa, and Xylia species.

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Habitat Commonly found in sunny forest edges, secondary growth, suburban gardens, and parks with plenty of flowering shrubs.

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Behavior

The Long-banded Silverline is a master of misdirection. When it lands, it often perches head-downward and wiggles its hindwing tails. These tails, combined with the eye-spots at their base, mimic a head and antennae. This 'false head' strategy tricks predators like birds or spiders into attacking the non-vital wing edges rather than the butterfly's actual body.

These butterflies are extremely fast and jerky in flight, often disappearing from view only to reappear on a nearby leaf. They are also known for their fascinating symbiotic relationship with Crematogaster ants. The larvae produce sugary secretions that the ants crave, and in return, the ants provide a formidable defense against potential predators, sometimes even ushering the caterpillars into their nests for safety.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Long-banded Silverline, focus your camera on 'hot spots' like flowering shrubs or sunny patches of foliage about 3 to 5 feet off the ground. These butterflies love basking in the sun to regulate their temperature, so a south-facing garden patch is ideal. Use a macro lens setting if available, as these butterflies are small and their most stunning features—the metallic silver bands—require close-up detail.

Because they are fast fliers, set your camera to a high shutter speed or use a 'burst' mode triggered by motion. If you are using a trail camera, ensure it is positioned no more than 2 feet away from a target flower cluster. Since they often visit 'puddling' sites for minerals, you can create an artificial lure by placing a shallow tray of damp sand mixed with a tiny amount of sea salt in view of the camera. This will encourage them to land and stay still for much longer than they would on a flower.

Pay close attention to the lighting. The metallic scales on the wings reflect light beautifully, but midday sun can cause harsh glares. Positioning your camera so the sun is behind it or to the side will help the silver 'lines' shimmer in your photos without washing out the deep orange tones of the wings. If your camera allows for video, try to capture their tail-wiggling behavior, which is a hallmark of this species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Long-banded Silverline.

Common Silverline

Smaller with shorter, more broken silver bands on the underside of the wings.

Club Silverline

Features a distinct 'club-shaped' mark at the base of the wing instead of a long band.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the bright, sunny hours of the day, typically between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, when the sun is strong enough to warm their flight muscles.

Plant nectar-rich flowers like Lantana, Ixora, or Bidens. Providing host plants for their caterpillars and a small damp 'puddling' area with minerals will also encourage them to visit.

Adults drink nectar from a variety of flowers. Their caterpillars eat the leaves of several tree species and are often tended by ants for their sweet secretions.

Yes, they are quite adaptable and are frequently seen in suburban gardens, urban parks, and along the edges of wooded neighborhoods.

Look at the underside bands; the Long-banded Silverline has continuous, elongated silver-centered bands, whereas the Common Silverline has shorter, more fragmented spots.

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