African Leopard Butterfly

Phalanta phalanta aethiopica

The strikingly beautiful and very active African Leopard butterfly inhabits savanna, woodland, forest edges, parks and gardens and is found over much of South Africa, excluding most of the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape Provinces. It is also known as the Common Leopard and is widely distributed over Africa, Australia, southern Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Eggs are laid singly on a wide range of larval food plants, including exotic poplars and willows. Adults have a wingspan of between 4 and 5.5cm and are on the wing throughout the year.

African Leopard (Phalanta-butterfly)

Beautiful African Leopard (Phalanta-butterfly)

African Leopard (Phalanta-butterfly)

African Leopard

African Leopard Butterfly

African Leopard butterfly (photo by Joubert)

18 thoughts on “African Leopard Butterfly”

aj vosse March 29, 2020 at 9:35 am

Mooie ding! Laat my bietjie dink aan ‘n Fritillary – ons het fier species hier… ook so mooi oranja!!

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 29, 2020 at 12:21 pm

Jy het gelyk, AJ – hulle kom uit dieselfde familie

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naturebackin March 8, 2020 at 10:33 pm

Lovely photos – although they do settle, I find that they tend to be very wary so its great that you got such good images of these very striking butterflies.

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 9, 2020 at 4:12 am

Thanks, Carol! Are they another of your marvelous garden’s beautiful denizens too?

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1. naturebackin March 12, 2020 at 9:09 pm
  
  Yes they visit here too. They seem to be quite shy and wary though.
  
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JANE March 8, 2020 at 7:08 am

When you share these beautiful creatures… it’s clear why you enjoy visits to Kruger.

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 9, 2020 at 4:07 am

Thank you, Jane!

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Reflections of an Untidy Mind March 7, 2020 at 11:29 am

I am not familiar with that one. What a beauty!

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 7, 2020 at 5:44 pm

I hope you get to see one soon, Tracy!

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anotherday2paradise March 7, 2020 at 5:06 am

How beautiful they are. Great captures, Dries.

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 7, 2020 at 5:46 am

Thank you very much, Sylvia!

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Robert March 7, 2020 at 5:03 am

Beautiful

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 7, 2020 at 5:46 am

I agree wholeheartedly, Robert!

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rondomtaliedraai March 6, 2020 at 7:22 pm

‘n Bekende outjie die.

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de Wets Wild Post authorMarch 7, 2020 at 5:45 am

Jy’s gelukkig om hulle gereeld te sien, Tina!

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1. rondomtaliedraai March 7, 2020 at 7:27 pm
  
  Grinnik … darem nie so gereeld… ek het ‘n wonderlike verbeelding.
  
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