Butterflies of
Africa
Fashion Commodore
Precis pelarga
FABRICIUS, 1775
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - JUNONIINI
Precis pelarga,
dry season form, Bobiri forest, Ghana
Introduction
The genus
Precis is closely allied to Junonia and includes several
species that were formerly placed within that genus.
There are 20
currently recognised Precis species
of which 14 are found exclusively on the African mainland. A
further 2 are endemic to Madagascar. The remaining 3 are found
in south-east Asia.
Precis
pelarga is found from Senegal to Congo and Burundi. In Uganda, Kenya,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe it is replaced by P. actia,
which was formerly considered to be a subspecies of
pelarga.
Precis pelarga,
wet season form, Mount Gemi, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border
The Fashion Commodore is
seasonally polymorphic - the wet season form has creamy-orange bands on the
upperside, and a variegated underside; while the dry season form has pale
bluish-white bands above, a cryptic "dead-leaf" underside, and strongly falcate
forewings.
Habitats
This species is found in open forest habitats, savannah / woodland mosaics,
botanical gardens, and is a common butterfly in city gardens in some parts of
it's range. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and at least 800m.
Precis pelarga,
dry season form, Wli Falls, Ghana / Togo border
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include
Solenostemon, Coleus
and other Lamiaceae.
Precis pelarga,
wet season form, Bobiri forest, Ghana
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually found singly, but when hill-topping
several can be seen within a limited area, searching for mates.
Males perch with wings half open on bushes or other
low foliage to await passing females, and fly up instantly to
investigate any passing butterfly.
In cool or overcast conditions both sexes will bask with wings
outspread on foliage or on the ground. In hot sunny conditions, males can be found mud-puddling, at which time they hold their
wings erect.
Both sexes are fond of nectaring at
Tridax and other flowers, where they
often feed in company with other Precis
and Junonia species.
Precis pelarga,
dry season form, Bobiri forest, Ghana
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