Ghanaian nymphalidae IDs
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:38 pm
I had the opportunity to visit Ghana in July - still the rainy season and not peak for butterflies, but still had a very enjoyable time seeing well over a hundred species during my travels. I'd clocked up a dozen or more in central Accra within a day of arriving, then went north game watching in Mole National Park. Then to the centre of the country to Kumasi, where the University botanical garden and surrounding area was fruitful. Just outside Kumasi is Bobiri Forest Butterfly reserve where I spent a happy 3 days cut off from the world surrounded by myriad new species. Finally back in Accra, the University (LEGON) botanical gardens provided a handful more new species. I've been scouring the internet for images against which to compare, and have ID'd around 150, but have around 30 which I'm fairly sure are different 
. So I'd welcome help from anyone out there with knowledge of West African leps, and/or has a copy of Torben Larsen's definitive 'Butterflies of West Africa'.
Here are a several nymphalidae that I've not been able to match;
1. An acraea spp that I cannot find a match for - seen by the side of the main track running through Bobiri forest on the forest side of the guest house - briefly settled and that disappeared
2. Another acraea spp - there was a very popular flowering tree some way down the forest track in Bobiri - quite far back and requiring all the zoom my FZ200 could bring to bear - wouldn't come any closer or open its wings
3. A charaxes spp - flew around guarding its patch in Bobiri, but wouldn't open its wings at rest
4. A forester of some description, of which there were many on the wing, but only an underwing view of this one
5. Another forester - this was just too high. I was unfolding the LCD screen to get a better angle when it departed. Dull brown, but a white wing flash.
6. A pasha or similar with tails ?
7. A pansy or joker of some description seen in Accra Uni botanical gardens - it flew off as the heavens opened
. So I'd welcome help from anyone out there with knowledge of West African leps, and/or has a copy of Torben Larsen's definitive 'Butterflies of West Africa'.Here are a several nymphalidae that I've not been able to match;
1. An acraea spp that I cannot find a match for - seen by the side of the main track running through Bobiri forest on the forest side of the guest house - briefly settled and that disappeared
2. Another acraea spp - there was a very popular flowering tree some way down the forest track in Bobiri - quite far back and requiring all the zoom my FZ200 could bring to bear - wouldn't come any closer or open its wings
3. A charaxes spp - flew around guarding its patch in Bobiri, but wouldn't open its wings at rest
4. A forester of some description, of which there were many on the wing, but only an underwing view of this one
5. Another forester - this was just too high. I was unfolding the LCD screen to get a better angle when it departed. Dull brown, but a white wing flash.
6. A pasha or similar with tails ?
7. A pansy or joker of some description seen in Accra Uni botanical gardens - it flew off as the heavens opened
