Butterflies of
Africa
Abyssinian Red Admiral
Vanessa abyssinica
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily -
NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - NYMPHALINI
Vanessa abyssinica,
Wondo Genet, Ethiopia
©
Peter Bruce-Jones
Introduction
Surprisingly, this
species was formerly included within the closely allied genus
Antanartia, when it is clear from the wing shape,
pattern and biology that it is more closely related to the Red Admirals, and
belongs in Vanessa.
The genus
Vanessa comprises 2 groups of species. The first
group of 11 species were at one time placed within Cynthia,
which includes the Painted Lady Vanessa cardui -
the most widely distributed species of butterfly in the world. The second group
consists of 10 similarly marked species, known commonly as the Red Admirals.
The Red Admirals ( the name is believed to be a
corruption of "Red Admirable" ) all share the same basic pattern, having a
blackish-brown ground colour with a bright orange or red diagonal band on the
forewings, a similarly coloured submarginal band on the hindwings, and a series of
small white subapical spots. The underside hindwings of all Red Admirals are cryptically
patterned in grey and brown, usually with traces of blue.
Vanessa abyssinica is
distributed from Ethiopia to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Habitats
This species is found in montane habitats, at altitudes between about
1400-2800m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include
Australina, Obetia,
Pouzolzia and Urtica (
Urticaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Males are territorial in behaviour,
and perch on low foliage, with their wings held half open, to
await passing females. They are aggressive, intercepting and
chasing away other butterflies, and will even swoop up and "buzz"
intruding humans.
In the relatively cool conditions
early in the day, both sexes bask on bare ground, with wings fully
outspread. Once it gets warmer the males will imbibe moisture from
damp patches of ground, and are strongly attracted to urine and
dung. Towards the end of the afternoon both sexes bask on low
foliage. As dusk approaches they move onto tree trunks, where they
roost for the night in a head downwards posture.
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