Precis octavia
The strikingly beautiful Gaudy Commodore inhabits rocky grasslands, savannas and gardens and in South Africa can be found from the Eastern Cape northwards to the Lowveld and Limpopo Valley. North of our borders they occur in similar habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They are restless and fast fliers, often hiding in the shade along stream banks and earthen walls in winter though commonly encountered in the open on hilltops during warmer weather. Eggs are laid singly and the larvae is sustained by a wide range of food plants. Adult Gaudy Commodores have a wingspan of 5 – 6.5cm and can be seen throughout the year.
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore butterfly (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
Gaudy Commodore (dry season form)
DeWetsWild 
Lekker lekker lapperskoene! Dankie!! 😁😁
Plesier vriend!
Beautiful.
Nodding in agreement, Kathy!
Ou bekende. Is daar nog baie van hulle?
In die stad sien ek hulle nooit nie, Ineke, maar in die veld, veral in die berge, is hulle regdeur die jaar volop
They really are stunningly beautiful. A few have turned up here recently, among the many other autumn butterflies that are brightening up our days.
And we are all looking forward to seeing them featured on your blog, Carol – pressure is on!
Shew – indeed! I will have to force myself to go outside and share the autumn sunshine with the flitting butterflies …
Somehow I don’t think you’ll be dragging your feet out the door, Carol. 🙂
🙂 🦋
How pretty.
Very! 😀
Dis pragtig…veral die kleure van die eerste een ,vertoon so mooi op die grond! Dankie vir die mooi reeks, Dries.
Baie dankie, Dina. Ja, hierdie is regtig baie mooi, en veral in vlug vang die helder flitse nogal n mens se oog so in die berge!
You have encountered a number of willing posers. In our garden they tend to fly too high for me to ‘catch’. Lovely photographs you have.
Thanks very much, Anne. Indeed, they’re not the most co-operative models; but luckily they are rather common in many of the places we visit.
What a beauty!
janet
These beauties do brighten their environment up very nicely!
Really gorgeous colours, Dries. 😍
Very much so, Sylvia!