Butterflies of
Africa
Clouded Flat
Tagiades flesus
FABRICIUS, 1781
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe -
Tagiades flesus,
Amedzofe, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border
Introduction
The genus Tagiades comprises
of 17 species, most of which are Oriental species. There are
only 3 species in the Afrotropical region -
flesus, and the Madagascan endemics
samborana and
insularis.
Tagiades flesus is a very common and widespread butterfly, found
throughout sub-Saharan Africa including Madagascar.
Tagiades flesus,
Amedzofe, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border
Habitats
This species is found in primary and degraded forests, parks, gardens and along roadsides,
usually in damp and semi-shaded situations, although it is also found in
savannah habitats, usually in the vicinity of rivers or streams. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and
about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The eggs are laid singly on leaves of the
foodplants, and are coated with hairs from the tip of the female's abdomen. The
larva feed nocturnally on
Dioscorea and Grewia.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes are usually seen singly or in two's and three's. In
sunny conditions they spend much of their time resting with wings
fully outspread, beneath the leaves of bushes.
Males periodically dart out to investigate passing butterflies.
After the ensuing aerial combats they spend a few moments basking
on the upper surface of a leaf,
or spend a few seconds mud-puddling at a semi-shaded spot on the
ground, before returning to hide under another leaf. Both sexes
nectar avidly at the flowers of various bushes.
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