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| | | Two-tailed Pasha | | The two-tailed pasha (Charaxes jasius) is a species belonging to the genus Charaxes, in the order butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), the suborder Glossata, the infraorder Heteroneura (division: Ditrysia; unranked: Rhopalocera), the superfamily Papilionoidea, the family brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae), the subfamily Charaxinae and the tribe Charaxini. Two-tailed pasha are widespread from the Mediterranean to Central Africa at altitudes of up to 2400 metres. They are not found in Germany. | | |
| | | | Charaxes jasius is the largest of the European butterflies and the only example of this genus in Europe. Female specimens are slightly larger than males and reach wing spans of 80 - 100 mm. The former can have front wings which are over 40mm in length. The upper surface of the front wings is light brown. There are yellowish-brown to orange-brown bands of colour at the edges which on the top edge of the hind wings are extended in black bezel. The hinder area of the wings has the same markings. The hind wings have 2 short tails (spores) and a number of blue spots on the upper surface. The underside of both pairs of wings has a vibrant patchwork of stripes and spots. | | |
| | | Two-tailed pashas prefer to live in habitats in which strawberry trees (genus Arbutus) grow. This is the food plant of their caterpillars. The adult butterflies live on rotting fruit, excrement and sweat and can fly well and fast. They can be watched in their flights for hours. Male specimens of two-tailed pasha guard their territory and fend off competitors from the same species. Occasionally, they even scare away small birds. Two generations of two-tailed pasha are active from May to June and from August to September. | | |
| | | The caterpillar of the two-tailed pasha reaches a body length of 60 mm. It is green, with a bright yellow stripe on each side and is covered in small yellow dots. It is shaped like a slug, even in the embryonic state. The head has 4 reddish or brownish horns. The two central ones protrude significantly in height above the others. The strikingly broad posterior end into direction of the head looks like being pressed. The caterpillars mainly feed on the leaves of the western strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). They are very sensitive to frost. Therefore, this species is absent in a small area north of the Adriatic. | | |
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| | | Description of images / photos | | 1. | Two-tailed pasha - Charaxes jasius | | 2. | Charaxes jasius - Nymphalidae |
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