Butterflies of
Africa
Brilliant Nymph
Cynandra opis
DRURY, 1773
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - ADOLIADINI
Cynandra opis,
Wli Falls, Ghana / Togo border
Introduction
The genus Cynandra is
very closely related to Euriphene, and comprises of
a single species opis.
The upperside of the male butterfly is very
similar in appearance to Euriphene barombina and
it's brethren, but has broader, darker markings, and unlike any
Euriphene species it reflects a brilliant blue
sheen when seen in sunlight. The female is
completely different to the male, being patterned in brown and cream above, in
the style of Catuna and
Bebearia females.
Cynandra
opis is found throughout the forested regions of sub-Saharan Africa from
Sierra Leone to Uganda and n.w. Tanzania.
Habitats
This species is found in tropical
rainforest habitats, including degraded forest.
Lifecycle
The
larval foodplant is thought to be Dissotis (
Melastomaceae ).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are only active
in sunshine, and are most often seen in the morning. Both sexes
spend most of their time sitting motionless amongst leaf litter,
with their wings held erect, but males periodically emerge from
the undergrowth to bask on low foliage, in places where dappled
sunlight reaches the forest floor.
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