Good morning,
Following on with the Satyrines - David, unfortunately there are very few of these butterflies occuring on the farm but I'll include a very special endemic species which occurs very close by on top of the mountains in the national park.
Probably the most striking and easily recognisable brown found on the farm is the Dark-webbed Ringlet -
Physcaeneura panda, whose underwings are decorated with fine black and white
striae and edged with a number of orange ocelli centred with iridescent blue scales. Its a very delicately built butterfly and has a corresponding gentle flight amongst grass and low vegetation. The Dark-webbed ringlet is very common around the farm and can be sighted in many localities throughout the season but numbers are higher from late summer into the autumn.
Physcaeneura panda - Dark-webbed Ringlet
Physcaeneura panda - Dark-webbed Ringlet
A seldom seen brown is the Marsh Patroller -
Brakefieldia perspicua perspicua, whose name describes this species perfectly. Flying slowly along low road side vegetation with a zigzagging and jinking flight it's an easily recognised butterfly, but one who may leader the photographer for a merry dance for it doesn't settle all that often. With patience though, eventually the fine underside and upper side markings can be appreciated. Bold ocelli on both surfaces are very eye catching and will very likely confuse predators when the closed wings are thrown open to reveal these bright eye spots.
The Marsh Patroller is not a very common butterfly on the farm perhaps because the habitat is not exactly what it prefers but later in the season a few individuals are always seen in heavily grassed areas in the shadier valley bottoms.
Brakefieldia perspicua perspicua - Marsh Patroller
Brakefieldia perspicua perspicua - Marsh Patroller
There are two species from the genus
Ypthima which occur on the farm -
Ypthima impura paupera ( Impure Three-ring) and
Ypthima asterope ( African Three-ring) but up until now I haven't been able to obtain open wing shots to verify which is which. Identification is virtually impossible from undersides and to find these butterflies resting with wings open is very difficult. Should the upper sides be seen a double dark line differentiates
impura pauera from the single dark marginal line of
asterope. These species are common around the farm and can be spotted flying low to the ground with their characteristic jinking weak flight. larvae feed on a range of
Poaceae grasses.
Ypthima species
Ypthima species
Ypthima species
So that covers the few Browns found on the farm and the next species is the endemic Krantzberg Widow -
Dingana jerinae found on the high mountain tops of the nearby Marakele National Park on the southern edge of the Waterberg region, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This species, like a lot of the Widows found in South Africa is extremely localised - a true specialist of the high altitude grasslands. Specimens usually only fly in the morning and to see one is a special treat indeed. Luckily, to reach the spot where these butterflies occur is very easy because many years ago a road was constructed to reach the highest point of the mountain to aid in construction of some radio masts.
Waterberg habitat of the Krantzberg Widow.
The Krantzberg Widow is single brooded and only flies in November so the window to see this species is short but reach the area at the right time and specimens are relatively easy to spot. To take a photo is another story for they fly fast and only seem to settle in very inaccessible steep areas near the top of sheer cliffs. When I was last looking for these butterflies the mountain top was alive with various migrating species and it was quite a sight to behold. None were hanging around to have their photo taken but what sticks in my mind were the many White Lady Swordtails (
Graphium morana) passing by amongst many
Pierids. Some did settle to nectar but to reach the spot before they again flew was virtually impossible.
Dingana jerinae - Krantzberg Widow - A very rare endemic indeed!
The Krantzberg widows were slightly more cooperative and after following one down the side of the mountain for a hundred metres I found an area where a handful of individuals were flying. The terrain was very steep and difficult to navigate but after some persistence and failed attempts I finally managed a few acceptable images.
Kedestes barberae - Barber's Ranger - Another grassland specialist found on the mountain tops of the Kransberg
Like Satyrinae, there are relatively few species of the family Papilionidae occuring on the farm out of the 14 or so species found in South Africa. The most common is the Citrus Swallowtail -
Papilio demodocus demodocus which is perhaps familiar to many South Africans even if they have no particular interest in butterflies.
Papilio demodocus demodocus - Citrus Swallowtail
Papilio demodocus demodocus - Citrus Swallowtail
As the name suggests this Swallowtail uses various citrus trees as a larval host plants (but also many other tree species) and as these are common throughout the country the butterfly is very also very common and this combined with its large size and showy design it is hard to miss, even by the casual observer. It's perhaps the first butterfly I was familiar with at a young age, and I remember well, searching for the larvae, known as 'Orange Dogs' among the leaves of my grandmothers orange and lemon trees. Imitating a bird dropping in the first instars the young larvae are well camouflaged. later their colour is almost indiscernible from the leaves from which they feed and if disturbed exhibit a fascinating defence strategy. The larva rears up, throws it head back and a pair of red horns shoot out from the head hopefully scaring the would be predator.
Papilio demodocus demodocus - Citrus Swallowtail
Papilio demodocus demodocus - Citrus Swallowtail
Citrus Swallowtails are seen throughout the year and cover large distances searching for mates and host plants. Often seen passing over mountain tops or flying in a relatively straight line travelling to their next destination wherever that may be. Fond of flowers and so most gardens will attract this species. Citrus Swallowtails don't often settle and but occasionally while mud puddling one will sit still for a while.
Papilio demodocus demodocus - Citrus Swallowtail among other species.
The Narrow Green-banded Swallowtail -
Papilio nireus lyaeus also occurs on the farm but usually seems to be passing through, although in the flight season an individual will often be seen pausing at the
Bougainvillea flowers dotted around the garden. Unfortunately these specimens are way out of reach and so far I've not been able to secure a decent image of this butterfly. One of the main food plants is Cape Chestnut (
Calodendrum capense) and in one valley a number of these trees grow. Here Narrow green-banded swallowtails are easy to spot but once again are out of reach up in the tree tops. I look forward to photographing this species on the farm for the species has evaded me for many years now!
Aerial view of farm
Occasionally Large Striped Swordtails -
Graphium antheus are spotted, usually early season in my experience although one may turn up any time throughout the summer and autumn. Sightings are rare and this species is always exciting to see and same goes for the White lady (
Grapium morania) and the Veined Swordtail (
Graphium leonidas loenidas). These three species are most likely to be seen passing fast along mountain ridges or over mountain tops, and the best way to see them is by sitting in key areas. There is one spot though, a break in the chain of hills where they must come lower, and in this place there is the possibility of seeing one settle on wet earth for a spot of mud puddling. Luck is probably the key ingredient to photographing these beautiful species. Their strongholds are towards the east of the country and in certain forests in eastern Limpopo province they are much easier to become acquainted with.
Graphium Antheus - Large Striped Swordtail. I snatched this photo last year at the spot mentioned above. This Swordtail only stopped for a few seconds before continuing its journey.
The hills which Swordtails follow...
Valley in which the house is situated - at the top of which is the stopping place for Swordtails and other rare migrants.
That brings me to the end of the species which I have recorded from the farm so far so I will continue with updates when I return to South Africa a little later this year. I'm excited to get back and learn more about the butterflies and possibly find some species which have eluded me so far. I plan to explore some of the more inaccessible areas of the land and see what delights may be waiting in these unknown areas. And if I have time and luck, will hopefully be able to locate some
Charaxes eggs and rear the larvae through to adulthood which is a project I've long dreamt of completing.
I'd also like to invite any readers who have enjoyed my diary so far to visit the farm and stay with me. I would really appreciate the expertise of others to help me record more and to also diver deeper into the butterflies, moths and other insects which occur in this special place. To share these delights with others really brings the subject alive and alone I feel so far I'm only scratching the surface. Please PM me if you would be interested to join me.
All the best for now, Scott