Hamanumida daedalus

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Hamanumida daedalus
Hamanumida daedalus in Kruger National Park

Hamanumida daedalus in Kruger National Park

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Noble butterfly (Nymphalidae)
Subfamily : Limenitidinae
Genre : Hamanumida
Type : Hamanumida daedalus
Scientific name
Hamanumida daedalus
( Fabricius , 1775)
Wing underside
Butterfly sucking on the ground

Hamanumida daedalus is a butterfly ( butterflies )found in Africafrom the family of noble butterflies (Nymphalidae). The specific epithet is derived from Daedalus , a figure from Greek mythology who made wings from the feathers of birds and the wax of candles. In English usage, the species is referred to as Guineafowl (guinea fowl), a name that refers to the helmeted guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris ), as the upper wing drawing and color of the moths resemble this bird, which alsosharesits range with Hamanumida daedalus .

description

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 55 to 65 millimeters for the males and 60 to 78 millimeters for the females. There is no sexual dimorphism . In both sexes, the base color of the top of all wings varies from light gray to dark gray. The upper sides of the wings are completely covered with white, black-edged, almost circular spots. The apex on the upper forewing is white. The undersides of the wings are colored light brown to reddish brown and depict the pattern of the upper side in a weakened form. Due to the characteristic drawing, the moths are unmistakable.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars have a green basic color, a colorful back line and are equipped with many feathery, branched thorns on the back and sides.

distribution and habitat

The distribution area of ​​the species extends over the African continent south of the Sahara . It is also found on Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula and lives mainly in light forests, areas rich in bushes and steppes . The altitude distribution ranges from sea level to 800 meters.

Way of life

The moths fly all year round. The males like to suckle on damp places in the earth to absorb liquid and minerals. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of long filaments ( Combretum ), myrobalans ( Terminalia ) or Tectona species, including the teak tree ( Tectona grandis ).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Herbert Otto: Butterflies of the Kruger National Park and Surrounds Struik Nature, 2014, ISBN 978-1-77584-310-8
  2. ^ A b c Steve Woodhall: Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa , Cape Town, South Africa, Struik Publishers, 2005, ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7
  3. ↑ Markku Savela: Tanaecia Butler (1869) - distribution. In: Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved February 23, 2019 .
  4. ↑ a b Guineafowl at Butterflies of Africa

Web links

Commons : Hamanumida daedalus  - Collection of images, videos and audio files