There are 10 species in the genus Cacyreus, all of which are entirely African in distribution. One of these - marshalli, was accidentally introduced to Europe from South Africa in 1990, and has since become a serious pest of Pelargonium and Geranium in Spain and France.

Cacyreus can be split into 2 distinct groups, with differing underside patterns, and it is likely that at some stage the genus will be revised to reflect this.

Cacyreus lingeus is a very widespread and common species which occurs throughout Africa with the exception of desert areas.

This species occurs in degraded rainforest, open dry forest, acacia scrub, arboreta, gardens, parks and along roadsides. It is found primarily in lowland areas, but also occurs in hill forests and on the lower slopes of mountains and river valleys.

The larval foodplants include Plastosema, Calamintha, Coleus, Lavandula, Mentha, Salvia, Satureja

( Lamiaceae ); and Geranium and Pelargonium ( Geraniaceae ).

Normally several adults can be found together, nectaring at clumps of flowers in sunny but damp situations e.g. along roadside ditches or by streams that run through forest glades. Both sexes visit flowers, but males additionally can be found imbibing mineralised moisture from the ground.