Recognition
The wings are pale with a network of dark veins and scattered dark markings, rather than the bright solid colour of a birdwing. The Mokotog survey illustrates the form identified as Idea stolli virgo. Similar tree nymphs should be compared through the complete wing pattern; a pale butterfly drifting through the forest is a useful clue, not a species diagnosis by itself.
Sources & references · 1
Sabah Forestry Department technical report · Kepelbagaian Serangga di Kg. Mokotog, Sook, Keningau, Sabah (2015)Habitat and Borneo range
Researchers recorded this species during the May 2015 insect survey at Mokotog, Sook, Keningau in Sabah. The site was a forest patch amid agricultural surroundings. The record shows that a small community-managed forest can retain distinctive forest insects. It describes one surveyed landscape, rather than claiming that plantations provide an equivalent habitat.
Sources & references · 1
Sabah Forestry Department technical report · Kepelbagaian Serangga di Kg. Mokotog, Sook, Keningau, Sabah (2015)Behaviour
A Nature Reserves study in Singapore describes Idea stolli as forest-dependent and characterizes its flight as floating. This slow-looking movement is part of its appeal during forest observation. Looking at the wing markings while an adult settles gives more identification information than following the silhouette alone. The ecological description comes from Singapore, while the Sabah survey supplies the independent Borneo record.
