Quick answer
Great Eggfly at a glance
The Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) is an invertebrate in the family Nymphalidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Central Java, Bali. Diet: caterpillars eat plant leaves (herbivore); a herbivore.
| Scientific name | Hypolimnas bolina |
|---|---|
| Group | Invertebrates |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Observation records | West Java, Central Java, Bali |
| Taxonomic group | Lepidoptera |
| GBIF records | 1,891 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — caterpillars eat plant leaves (herbivore) · Australian Faunal Directory |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · Rutowski 1992, Male mate-locating behavior in the common eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina (Nymphalidae), Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 46(1): 24-38 (PDF, Yale Peabody Lepidopterists' Society archive) |
In this guide (12)
What is the Great Eggfly?
Great Eggfly refers to Hypolimnas bolina, in the genus Hypolimnas, family Nymphalidae, and order Lepidoptera. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Great Eggfly?
Great eggflies show sex-linked differences in wing pattern; one photograph cannot represent all population variation.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Great Eggfly?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 1,891 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Central Java, Bali. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Great Eggfly?
Record body or wing pattern, age and sex differences, and the plant or water body where the animal was seen. Leave nests and immature stages intact; one image may not support a certain identification. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Great Eggfly with Blue Pansy, Great Mormon Swallowtail, Lime Swallowtail. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Great Eggfly
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Genus | Hypolimnas |
| Species | Hypolimnas bolina |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Great Eggfly
What is the scientific name of the Great Eggfly?
The scientific name of the Great Eggfly is Hypolimnas bolina, in the family Nymphalidae and the order Lepidoptera.
What kind of animal is the Great Eggfly?
The Great Eggfly is an invertebrate in the family Nymphalidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a caterpillars eat plant leaves (herbivore).
Where does the Great Eggfly live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Great Eggfly summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Central Java, Bali. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Great Eggfly eat?
The Great Eggfly is a caterpillars eat plant leaves (herbivore). That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: Australian Faunal Directory.
How does the Great Eggfly reproduce?
The Great Eggfly reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
Is the Great Eggfly nocturnal?
The cited source records the Great Eggfly as diurnal (active by day). Source: Rutowski 1992, Male mate-locating behavior in the common eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina (Nymphalidae), Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 46(1): 24-38 (PDF, Yale Peabody Lepidopterists' Society archive).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Great Eggfly?
Scientific classification of the Great Eggfly: kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, family Nymphalidae, genus Hypolimnas, species Hypolimnas bolina.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- Australian Faunal Directory ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Rutowski 1992, Male mate-locating behavior in the common eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina (Nymphalidae), Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 46(1): 24-38 (PDF, Yale Peabody Lepidopterists' Society archive) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hypolimnas-bolina/