Friday, September 26, 2014
Euchrysops osiris
This is the Osiris Smoky Blue.
We found it at Cumberland, going down the Lolombazo gorge. It is my only record, we are at the southernmost limit of its distribution.
The upper-side is that of a male.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Anthene definita
The Common Hairtail, there are three "hairtails" extending from the posterior end of the hind-wing.
The butterfly here is a female, the male is all metallic blue on the upperside.
It is not all that common here, this one was found at Bisley Nature Reserve.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Catacroptera cloanthe
The Pirate, perhaps so named after the hairiness of the DSF. The winter form has richer ground colours, and is a lot more hairy, quite different from the WSF. The upper-side basal blue is only evident under certain lighting.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Zerenopsis lepida
The Cycad Looper Moth, the larvae can demolish a Cycad in a few days.
It is larger than but remarkably similar to the Polka Dot butterfly, Pardopsis punctatissima.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Eurema hecabe
Hecabe, named after the wife of Priam in Eurides' play of the fall of Troy.
According to Markku Savela's site, the taxon has been revised no less than 56 times, the TS being Papilio hecabe Linnnaeus 1758.
Despite its common name the Common Grass Yellow (also the Low veld Yellow,) this is appears to be the least common of our three Eurema, I have only two records, both shown here. The top one I forgot to document; the bottom two are of the same individual in our garden on an invasive balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum.)
The underside markings are similar to E. Desjardensii, but but the scalloped upper side marginal band (seen contre-jour here) and the rounded hind wing set it apart.
Steve Woodhall mentions an unnamed WSF found in Kwazulu-Natal that lacks the underside apical brown patch. There is just a hint of one in the top photo, but is entirely lacking in the bottom.
Our St John's wart (Hypericum aethiopicum) is one of its food plants.
Another one that I had previously misnamed. The butterfly that came to an untimely end had been captured by a Small Crab Spider (Thomisidae.)
Eurema desjardinsii
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The Angled Grass Yellow, certainly the most common of the Eurema in our garden as it is more at home in a wooded area. As its common name would suggest, it is recognised by the sharply angled hind wing.
The apical patch on the underside fore wing would appear to be variable, from bold to non- existent, when the markings are similar to E. brigitta. I don't know if this is seasonal.
The pink flowers are Hypoestes aristata (the Ribbon Bush) which was self sown and flourished in our garden. It always provided an attraction for butterflies. The daisy is an Ostespermum.
See also E. hecabe and E. brigitta.
I have moved the one that I had named incorrectly: actually E. hecabe.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Charaxes ethalion
The Satyr, or Coastal Emperor.
I have always found the Charaxes elusive, too fast and shy.
The top three are males, the bottom an elderly matron.
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