Butterflies of
Africa
Perseis Mimic Forester
Euphaedra perseis
DRURY, 1773
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe - ADOLIADINI
Euphaedra
perseis, female, 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 that 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.
Euphaedra perseis is one of several red Euphaedra
species which mimic tiger moths in the family Arctiidae. The latter are
unpalatable to birds, so a bird that has tasted one is unlikely to attack a
similarly coloured palatable species.
The butterfly is distributed
from Guinea and Sierra Leone, to western Ghana.
Habitats
This species inhabits the wetter rainforests, and is
found at altitudes between about 100-600m.
Lifecycle
The
lifecycle appears to be unknown.
Euphaedra
perseis, female, Bobiri forest, Ghana
Adult behaviour
Both sexes fly close to the
ground, and patrol along forest paths in search of
fermenting fruits, of which they are very fond. They rarely settle
in the open however, preferring the shadier paths, or glades where
dappled sunlight filters through the foliage to reach the forest
floor.
Euphaedra
perseis, female, Bobiri forest, Ghana
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