Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767)

Host plants:
The caterpillars live mostly on strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo and in the eastern Mediterranean A. andrachne). I observed the eggs on both species in Rhodes. Occasionally, also other plants used as for example Osyris quadripartita in Andalusia. In literature larval records are mentioned even from Nicotiana.

Habitat:
Charaxes jasius is typical for the coastal tree maquis and very sparse forests or bushy slopes with pine, Erica and Arbutus. But it inhabits also other locations of the strawberry tree and is seen occasionally far away suitable habitats (good flier). I observed the eggs especially in open pine forests in Rhodes in September 2013, but partly at quite shady places.

Life cycle:
Charaxes jasius flies in two generations. The caterpillar overwinters open on a leaf on a webbed seat pad, and is almost always feeding active. In late March 2008 caterpillars were mature in Mallorca and most obviously aready pupated. Pupation takes place apparently mostly in some distance from the host bush because I found no pupa despite of numerous feeding scars and the caterpillars go through several hours of intensive crawling prior to pupation in breeding.

The adults fly from mid- or late April to June, those of the following generation from August to October. According to this, the summer larvae that produce the late summer butterflies, should be found around June and July, probably still in early August. I observed many eggs and butterflies on Rhodes in late September 2013. The eggs are deposited mostly on the upper leaf surface, but occasionally also on the lower side, especially if the leafs are more vertical.
The adults like to suck on carrion, dung and fruits.

Endangerment factors:
Charaxes jasius lost already massive habitat area due to the overuse of Mediterranean coastal areas for settlements and mass tourism. It is still most common in the southeast, e.g. the southeast Aegean islands such as Rhodes and also in Southern Italy.

Remarks:
The overall distribution ranges from equatorial Africa across Southern Europe to Western Asia. In Europe, almost all coastal areas of the Mediterranean are inhabited, with the exception of the northernmost parts (northern Adriatic area). In Portugal, Charaxes jasius is found on the Atlantic coast. In Southern Spain, also some inland populations have been reported.