Butterflies of
Africa
Janetta Forester
Euphaedra janetta
BUTLER, 1871
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - ADOLIADINI
Euphaedra
janetta, male, Bobiri forest, Ghana
Introduction
The
genus
Euphaedra
comprises of a yet to be discerned number of large and very beautiful
forest-dwelling butterflies, all found on the African continent. Hecq puts the total number of species as high as 154, but this is challenged
by a number of other workers who believe many of these are merely
local forms or subspecies.
The butterflies all share a common wing shape, and most have a similar pattern on
the upperside - typically the basal areas of the wings ( particularly the
hindwings ) have large patches of metallic blue, green, orange or red scales;
and most species also have a cream or orange sub-apical bar. The undersides of
some species are quite
plain, but others such as sarcoptera and
janetta are very strikingly marked with black stigmata and
crimson basal patches, on a bright yellow ground colour.
Euphaedra janetta is found from Sierra Leone to Congo and the Central
African Republic.
Habitats
As with all Euphaedra
species, this butterfly is an inhabitant of tropical rainforest, and is
found at altitudes between sea level and about
1000m. It survives well in mildly degraded forest, and also breeds in riparian
forest, and certain woodland / savannah habitats, e.g. in Mole N.P. in Ghana.
Lifecycle
This
appears to be unknown, but it is likely that the larvae will feed on
Sapindaceae.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes fly close to the
ground, elegantly weaving their way through the forest
undergrowth. They are strongly attracted to fallen
fruits, and patrol back and
forth along forest paths in search of them. Males often
bask with wings outspread in sunspots on the
forest floor.
Euphaedra
janetta, Bobiri forest, Ghana
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