Forest mother-of-pearl | |
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possibly P. p. aethiops | |
P. p. parhassus, Ghana | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Protogoniomorpha |
Species: | P. parhassus
|
Binomial name | |
Protogoniomorpha parhassus | |
Approximate range
| |
Synonyms | |
|
Protogoniomorpha parhassus, the forest mother-of-pearl [1] or common mother-of-pearl, [2] [3] is a species of Nymphalidae butterfly found in forested areas of Africa.
The following description is for P. p. aethiops: A large butterfly; [3] the wingspan is 65–80 mm for males and 75–90 mm for females. [2] The male and female are similar in colour and pattern. [3] The base colour of the upper surface of the wings is greenish white with a violet sheen in the wet-season form, and pearly white in the dry-season form. [3] The forewing has a black-tipped, hooked apex. The wings have a few red eyespots which are ringed with black. There are black spots near the margins of both the forewings and hindwings. The underside of the wings has a greenish-white base colour, with eyespots corresponding to those on the upper surface.
This species lays tiny eggs similar to those of Junonia and Precis species. [5]
The larvae are similar to those of Junonia and Precis species, but larger. [5] They feed on Asystasia ( A. gangetica [3]), Brillantaisia, Isoglossa ( I. woodii [3] and I. mossambicensis [6]), Mimulopsis, and Paulowilhelmia species. [1] [2]
The pupae are similar to those of Junonia and Precis species, but larger. [5]
The flight period of the adults is year round, peaking in summer and autumn. [2] They have a "ponderous, flapping flight which can be quite fast". [3] The males may perch on the leaves of forest trees, while the females stay closer to the ground near the larval food plants. [3] These butterflies roost under leaves at night, and the males sometimes mud-puddle. [3]
Forest mother-of-pearl | |
---|---|
possibly P. p. aethiops | |
P. p. parhassus, Ghana | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Protogoniomorpha |
Species: | P. parhassus
|
Binomial name | |
Protogoniomorpha parhassus | |
Approximate range
| |
Synonyms | |
|
Protogoniomorpha parhassus, the forest mother-of-pearl [1] or common mother-of-pearl, [2] [3] is a species of Nymphalidae butterfly found in forested areas of Africa.
The following description is for P. p. aethiops: A large butterfly; [3] the wingspan is 65–80 mm for males and 75–90 mm for females. [2] The male and female are similar in colour and pattern. [3] The base colour of the upper surface of the wings is greenish white with a violet sheen in the wet-season form, and pearly white in the dry-season form. [3] The forewing has a black-tipped, hooked apex. The wings have a few red eyespots which are ringed with black. There are black spots near the margins of both the forewings and hindwings. The underside of the wings has a greenish-white base colour, with eyespots corresponding to those on the upper surface.
This species lays tiny eggs similar to those of Junonia and Precis species. [5]
The larvae are similar to those of Junonia and Precis species, but larger. [5] They feed on Asystasia ( A. gangetica [3]), Brillantaisia, Isoglossa ( I. woodii [3] and I. mossambicensis [6]), Mimulopsis, and Paulowilhelmia species. [1] [2]
The pupae are similar to those of Junonia and Precis species, but larger. [5]
The flight period of the adults is year round, peaking in summer and autumn. [2] They have a "ponderous, flapping flight which can be quite fast". [3] The males may perch on the leaves of forest trees, while the females stay closer to the ground near the larval food plants. [3] These butterflies roost under leaves at night, and the males sometimes mud-puddle. [3]