Pardopsis punctatissima

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Pardopsis punctatissima
Polka Dot (Pardopsis punctatissima) .jpg

Pardopsis punctatissima

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Noble butterfly (Nymphalidae)
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Genre : Pardopsis
Type : Pardopsis punctatissima
Scientific name
Pardopsis punctatissima
( Boisduval , 1833)

Pardopsis punctatissima is occurring in Africa Butterfly ( butterfly ) from the family of Nymphalidae (Nymphalidae).

features

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 25 to 30 millimeters. The females are slightly larger than the males. In both sexes, the wings have an orange-yellow basic color. The apex of the upper side of the forewing as well as the edge are darkened blackish. A distinctive drawing of black points over all wings, similar to a polka dots pattern, is typical of the species . In English usage, the species is therefore also referred to as polka dot . The black dot drawing shines through to the underside of the wing.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are greenish in color and show indistinct longitudinal stripes. There are four thorns on each body segment. The long spines located on the first body segment can be moved independently.

Similar species

  • Obeida tigrata

  • Acraea acrita

  • Acraea atolmis

  • Acraea aglaonice

  • Acraea neobule

distribution and habitat

Hybanthus enneaespermus, a food plant of caterpillars

Pardopsis punctatissima occurs in eastern Africa and is also native to Madagascar . The species primarily inhabits meadow areas on the edge of waters.

Way of life

The moths fly in several generations throughout the year. They are most numerous from October to March. They like to suckle on flowers to take in nectar. The following information is available for the development time: egg - eight days, five caterpillar stages - 32 days, pupae resting - 17 days. The caterpillars feed primarily on the leaves of the violet family (Violaceae) Hybanthus enneaespermus or Hybanthus capensis .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Dino J. Martins & Ateve Collins: Pocket Guide Butterflies of East Africa , Struik Nature, 2016, ISBN 978-1-77584-242-2
  2. ↑ a b c d e Herbert Otto: Butterflies of the Kruger National Park and Surrounds , Struik Nature, 2014, ISBN 978-1-77584-310-8
  3. ↑ Zerenopsis lepida for comparison
  4. ↑ a b Markku Savela: Distribution. In: Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved April 2, 2020 .

literature

Herbert Otto: Butterflies of the Kruger National Park and Surrounds Struik Nature, 2014, ISBN 978-1-77584-310-8

Web links

Commons : Pardopsis punctatissima  - collection of images, videos and audio files