Brown-veined White Butterfly

Belenois aurota

The Brown-veined White could probably be South Africa’s most commonly seen butterfly, occurring throughout the year and migrating in their millions between December and February away from areas of overcrowding in the arid west towards the Mozambique Channel, laying batches of around 20 eggs at their point of departure and along the way as they go. The Shepherd’s Tree is the preferred larval food plant for this species here in South Africa, but they are also found over most of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa and across Arabia and the Indian subcontinent where other members of the Caper plant-family would be important food sources. Adults, with a wingspan of about 4.5cm, feed on nectar and, while they are strong fliers, often pause at wet soil and mud for a drink.

24 thoughts on “Brown-veined White Butterfly

  1. perdebytjie's avatarperdebytjie

    Wanneer ons jaarliks in November/ Desember deur Botswana ry, breek my hart omdat ons honderde van dié skoenlappers doodry. Dis egter ‘n gesig om te sien hoe wolke van hulle almal ooswaarts vlieg. Mooi foto’s en interessante inligting, weereens.

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    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Om hulle in sulke getalle te sien beweeg is onvergeetlik, Dina. Ons het eenmaal tussen Vryheid en Pongola, oppad Ithala toe, so n “wolk” teegekom en dit was absoluut asemrowend!

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