Butterflies of
Africa
Blue Sailor
Pseudoneptis bugandensis
STONEHAM, 1935
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
LIMENITIDINAE
Tribe -
Incertae sedis
Pseudoneptis
bugandensis,
Wli Falls, Ghana / Togo border
Introduction
The genus Pseudoneptis comprises of
a single species bugandensis. The
pattern of white bars and spots on a blackish ground colour is
reminiscent of Neptis, hence the
genus name. When seen in a photograph the markings appear white,
but they are actually a very pale bluish-white. The costa on the
hindwing ( hidden in the photograph ) is also pale blue, and
when seen in flight the butterfly's bluish appearance makes it
very easy to distinguish it from it's
Neptis cousins.
Although the
adult is superficially similar to Neptis
species, the 2 genera are only distantly related. The morphology
of the early stages indicates that
Pseudoneptis is sufficiently different from other
Limenitidinae genera to warrant the erection of a monogeneric
tribe to contain it.
Pseudoneptis
bugandensis is distributed from Sierra Leone to southern
Sudan, and south to Congo, Uganda, Zambia and western Kenya.
Habitats
This is a forest species, found at altitudes between sea level
and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
The larvae feed
on Ficus,
Antiaris ( Moraceae ) and Ritchiea
( Capparaceae ).
Pseudoneptis
bugandensis,
larva, Big Tree reserve, Ghana
Adult behaviour
The butterflies
are invariably encountered as singletons but are by no means
scarce. They are often found in shady areas deep inside the forest.
Although their flight is slow and graceful, they are very alert
and difficult to approach, even in cool or overcast weather.
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