Coeliades pisistratus
The Two-pip Policeman butterfly is a denizen of coastal bush and savanna habitats, occurring from Kwazulu-Natal through Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West to the Free State and eastern portions of the Northern Cape Province. Furthermore it is found widely over the remainder of sub-Saharan Africa in similar habitats. Eggs are laid singly and the larvae feed on a wide range of plants, their development from egg to adult butterfly taking around two months to complete. Adults have a wingspan of 4.5 – 7cm and can be seen throughout the year. They fly fast and erratic and adults of both sexes are frequently seen at flowers or mud puddles, usually in the early morning or late afternoon. Males are territorial.
These are gorgeous – both the butterfly and your photos. I will keep an eye out for these from now on!
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To me they’re both beautiful and cute with those brightly coloured bodies and bulbous heads!
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They are indeed!
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These butterflies look like moths.
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They’re one of those creatures that make us wonder if what we thought we know is true; i.e. what makes a butterfly a butterfly and what makes a moth a moth.
As the Two-pip Policeman has “plain” antennae they’re counted as butterflies, as opposed to the fancy, feathery antennae of moths.
In the end they’re all from the Lepidoptera family in any case, so the distinction between butterflies and moths is an artificial division.
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Thanks for the information/clarification!
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It really is my pleasure, Robert!
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Very nice, not seen this one before. when I first saw the images I thought it was a type of Skipper but not at that size!
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You are spot on; the genus Coeliades is from the Skipper (Hesperiidae) family!
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Wat is die verskil tussen ‘n mot en ‘n skoenlapper?
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Maklikste om hulle uitmekaar te ken is om na die voelhorings te kyk, Tina. Skoenlappers het reguit dun voelers, terwyl motte se voelers soos vere of blare lyk. Maar daar is altyd uitsonderings op die reël en eintlik is motte en skoenlappers uit dieselfde familie.
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Dankie … dis interessant
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What a cute and unusual name he has. He’s really striking both in size and markings. Great photos, Dries. 🙂
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Thank you, Sylvia!
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Males are territorial? That is something I would never have guessed from a butterfly!!
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Same here, Joanne – I think we often underestimate just how developed even insect intelligence and instinct is.
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So true! I just take a look at my pampered, chubby cat. He is remarkably skilled at finding new ways to tell me what he wants … and is relentless about getting it.
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I have not seen one of these before – lovely photographs!
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Thank you, Anne. They’re a favourite of mine and I’d love to see them more often.
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I would be curious where the name originated. Its mouth looks much like a hummingbird moth in southern Georgia, USA. LOL, males are territorial…. Aren’t they all?
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🤭
I imagine the name comes from their thick round heads, reminiscent of a police constable’s helmet, though I’m not sure.
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