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protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins
2007, and must not be published
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Butterflies of
West Africa
Common Silverspot
Aphnaeus orcas
DRURY, 1782
Family - LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
LYCAENINAE
Tribe - APHNAEINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian
Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part
or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from
Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
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Adrian Hoskins
Aphnaeus
orcas, female, Kakum national park, Ghana
Introduction
The
tribe Aphnaeini includes 226 African species, the vast majority of which are
confined to southern Africa, although some (
Cigaritis
) reach as far north as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The Aphnaeini are also
represented by several
Spindasis
species in the Oriental region.
The butterflies are noted
for the beautiful and intricate patterns on the undersurface of the wings,
particularly those of the genera
Spindasis
( Silverlines ),
Axiocerses
( Bush Scarlets ), and
Aphnaeus
( Silverspots ).
The
patterns, in conjunction with the well-developed "false-antennae" tails and
forward-canted resting posture, contribute to creating the illusion that the
butterfly is facing back-to-front. Insectivorous birds and reptiles try to
anticipate the direction in which a butterfly will try to escape. Accordingly
they aim their attack just ahead of what they believe to be the head of the
insect, but they are fooled into aiming at the tail, and the butterfly is able to make it's escape in the opposite direction.
There are 19 species in the genus
Aphnaeus,
all African. Some are adapted to breed in rainforests, while others are found in
savannah habitats.
Aphnaeus
orcas occurs in
Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Zaire,
Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
Habitats
This is a rainforest species, found at altitudes between sea level and about
1000m.
Lifecycle
The
larvae include
Alchornea
( Euphorbiaceae ) and
Albizia
( Leguminosae ).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are always encountered singly. They can sometimes be found at rest on the leaves of bushes, but are more frequently seen nectaring at flowering bushes and shrubs. When settled they are surprisingly difficult to spot, as the pattern which is so striking when seen closely is also very effective at breaking up the shape of the butterfly - a type of camouflage known as disruptive colouration.
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