The butterflies are still flying in large numbers here on the farm, although over the last weeks I’ve seen considerably fewer individuals of certain species, while others, namely the tip have increased. At the moment it’s unseasonably warm and occasionally a little rain has been falling which I believe has helped keep some species of butterfly flying.
A few days ago on a warm sunny morning I was passing the veg patch and saw a large mother of pearl sail in, settle of the wet earth and start puddling. Since I first saw these butterflies ( a new species for the farm this year) I’ve managed a few close inspections and see that they are actually the clouded mother of pearl (Protogoniomorpha anacardii nebulosa), rather than the Common mother of pearl ( Protogoniomorpha parhassus), which makes sense because the former occurs a little closer than the latter. Still, they must have still flown a considerable distance to be here.
Protogoniomorpha anacardii nebulosa - clouded mother of pearl. This specimen i spotted one morning while checking the borehole - it was still cold and yet to fly and so was a very lucky sighting!
I approached the specimen I’d seen land and quite possibly it was the most beautiful butterfly I’ve seen for a long time. Large and in pristine condition, I wondered if it was new generation from the ones I saw a few months ago - the timings could work, although I’ve yet to find the larval host plant here. The mother of pearl glinting and shining across its large and patterned hindwings, and then as I approached, those wings opened to show off the full glory of nature. My breath was taken away but before I could feast my eyes for long, the Mother of Pearl beat its wings and glided with ease off across the garden.
I’d like to finish listing the Lycaenids which occur here, and the next is a particularly interesting species in the subfamily Poritiinae and the genus Aleana of which there are two in South Africa and one which occurs here – the Yellow Zulu (Aleana amazoula susp. ochroma). It’s a small weak flying lycaenid, orange base colour with black netted veins. The Yellow Zulu occurs in small colonies and will always be found near the larval food, cyanobacteria, which is found on suitable rocks. The adults spend most of their time sitting on grass stems and will usually only be seen when flushed from their perch.
Alaena amazoula ochroma - Yellow Zulu male
Alaena amazoula ochroma - Yellow zulu
I’ve seen these butterflies at various localities on the farm but this season we struggled to find them until we stopped looking, then of course they turned up here and there, and also in a few new spots where I’ve not seen them before. It’s always a joy to see one of these little gems flitting between grass stems before landing, positioning itself, usually to avoid too much sun if it’s already warmed itself for the day.
Alaena amazoula ochroma - Yellow zulu
BUFF Next we have another interesting species which I’ve seen for the first this this year. The Bushveld Plain Buff can easily be missed and up until now it had escaped my observation because of its unobtrusive habits. I happened to discover it while my brother was here at Christmas. We were standing under a large Acacia galpinii close to the house and while my brother fiddled with his drone I noticed two small orange butterflies flying weakly amongst the upper branches of the tree. After watching them for a while I could see it was new species but also that they were reluctant to descend within range of a photo which I wanted for identification. I collected my net and handle extensions and managed to net one after a few minutes and upon release the Buff settled on a low branch which allowed me to take a photo. It was a useful lesson in butterfly observation and I’m still amazed this butterfly was living so close to the house but avoided detection for so long.
![Cnodontes penningtoni bushveld plain buff in monkey thorn by road below house.JPG (32.66 KiB) Viewed 1644 times Cnodontes penningtoni bushveld plain buff in monkey thorn by road below house.JPG](./files/thumb_21955_032bf6b91aacf53a1667bb9fb8361677)
Cnodontes penningtoni - Bushveld plain buff
Probably there are more unknown colonies on the farm but only careful observation will confirm this. Again like the Yellow Zulu the larvae feed on cyanobacteria but this is not confirmed according to the literature. Maybe next season I’ll be able to observe some more exact habits of this species.
Cnodontes penningtoni - Bushveld plain buff
Next we have the Scarlets – genus Axiocerses, which occur here. Firstly we have the Bush Scarlet (Axiocerses amanga amanga), a fast flying and very variable little butterfly which at the right times of the year is very common due to its food plants –the sourplums – being very common in most habitats around the farm. The Bush Scarlet is an avid hill topper and will usually be seen on a prominent perch chasing away any intruders. I’m particularly fond of this beautiful little insect because it’s often encountered, and each individual’s underside is a slightly different mix of reds, purples, oranges and browns with the forewing underside dotted with silver spots. Truly beautiful when caught in the right light.
Axiocerses amanga amanga - Bush scarlet
Axiocerses amanga amanga - Bush scarlet
Axiocerses amanga amanga - Bush scarlet
Axiocerses amanga amanga - Bush scarlet
Axiocerses amanga amanga - Bush scarlet
The Common Scarlet (Axiocerses tjoane tjoane) despite it name is not quite as commo here as the Bush scarlet but can also be seen often whether it’s hilltopping or flitting and and perching in a wide variety of spots. The larvae feed on various thorn trees which are widespread and so this is mirrored in its distribution around the farm. Male’s uppersides look similar to that of the male and female bush scarlet but the female Common scarlet has a design similar to some coppers with an orange base colour and black dots.
Axiocerses tjoane tjoane - common scarlet
Axiocerses tjoane tjoane - common scarlet
Axiocerses tjoane tjoane - common scarlet female
Axiocerses tjoane tjoane - common scarlet
There should also be another scarlet occurring here – The Black-tipped Scarlet ( Axiocerses coalescens) – but so far I’ve not succeeded in identifying a specimen. It’s very similar to the common scarlet and open wing shots are needed for successful identification which so far I’ve not managed to obtain.
Note: A vervet monkey has just strolled in through the kitchen (which is next door to where I’m writing) with the aim to steal some fruit!
The next genus is the russets or Aloeides which are numerous throughout South Africa but often localised. So far I’ve only identified one species on the farm although I suspect there are more because potentially seven species could occur here. Most have cryptic undersides and so blend well in their habitat, but often will reveal themselves early morning when searching for a sunny spot to warm, or when nectaring on flowers. Often associated with ants of various species and some larvae emerge at night to feed in safety while others are fed by ants.
Aloeides taikosama - Dusky Russet/Copper
The species I have found here seems to be the Dusky Russet (Aloeides taikosama) which is usually located in grassy areas up the mountains but will also be seen on the lower flats feeding on flowers. There is considerable variation of the underside colouration ranging from cream to brown and through to red magenta – Upper sides are more useful for identification but so far owing to lack of upper side shots I can’t be completely sure of whether all the specimens I’ve photographed are indeed the Dusky Russet.
Aloeides taikosama - Dusky Russet/Copper
Aloeides taikosama -Dusky Russet/Copper
Next come a few rare blues which appear from time to time but so far I’ve not identified any hotspots.
The beautiful Osiris Smoky Blue (Euchrysops Osiris) is a larger than average ‘blue’ and can sometimes be seen flitting about grassy areas and occasionally puddling at damp sunny spots. Another possibility to find it is up near the top of mountains, either hill topping or flitting around its foodplants – Vigna spp. The small hairtails and two orange lunules on the hind wing differentiate it from its close allies.
Euchrysops osiris - Osiris Smoky Blue
Euchrysops osiris - Osiris Smoky Blue
Euchrysops osiris - Osiris Smoky Blue missing tails
Next comes the Common Smoky blue (Euchysops malathana) which is slightly more common here than the Osiris Smoky blue, and similar looking but lacks the tails which is a quick giveaway to its identity. Also known as the Grey Smoky Blue due to male and females having grey upper sides this butterfly may also be found at mud or also on various flowers.
Euchrysops malathana - Common smoky blue
Euchrysops malathana - Common smoky blue
Euchrysops malathana - Common smoky blue
The Ashen Smoky blue is very elusive here and I’ve only seen one individual back in November 2022. Possibly this is because its single brooded or maybe others just evaded my eyes but I hope to learn more about it early next season.
Euchrysops subpallida - Ashen smoky blue
Euchrysops subpallida - Ashen smoky blue
The last three species of lycaenids to mention are three more Hairtails or ciliate blues similar to the Common and Black Striped Hairtail I covered a few posts previously. These are also difficult butterflies to identify accurately without excellent images and even then some of the females are almost impossible to differentiate from each other.
The Pale hairtail or Pale ciliate blue (Anthene livida livida) whose larvae feed on succulents such as Kalanchoe and Cotelydon spp. is widespread in the eastern portion of South Africa. Males may be found hill topping whereas the females will often be lower down the slopes feeding on flowers and most of the sightings here have been from the vegetable patch where these butterflies often visit for nectaring.
Anthene livida livida -Pale hairtail
Anthene livida livida - Pale hairtail
The Lebombo Hairtail (Anthene princeps) is very similar to the Pale Hairtail but an extra dark patch on costal margin of the underside of the hindwing gives it away. More common here than the previous species it can often be found mud puddling. Upon being disturbed it will fly rapidly to a close perch or possibly vanish at high speed over the trees. This rapid flight, does however aid in separating the hairtails from other similar sized lycaenids when in the field and so can help to pinpoint them in a mass of butterflies.
Anthene princeps - Cupreous Hairtail
Anthene princeps - Cupreous Hairtail