Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita

The "pansy" in the name has nothing to do with flowers — it refers to the bold eye-spots on the wings that give this butterfly its unmistakable wide-eyed stare, a trick shared across the whole Junonia genus to startle would-be predators. The deep, rich brown wings earn the "chocolate" half of the name, making it one of the more subtly gorgeous members of a group usually known for flashier colours.

Also nicknamed the chocolate soldier, this butterfly is a familiar sight across South and Southeast Asia, from India through to China. Males are fiercely territorial, claiming prominent sunny perches and defending them from rivals with surprisingly aggressive aerial chases. For an insect that looks like a piece of dark confectionery, it has a remarkably combative personality.