Paralethe dendrophilus
The Forest Beauty or Forest Pride is, as its name suggests, a beautiful butterfly inhabiting temperate coastal and mountain forests in eastern South Africa, from the Eastern Cape to the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is a shy butterfly that flies low and fast and hides in the shade, usually against a tree trunk, when at rest or threatened. With a wingspan of up to 7cm the females of this species is a little larger than the males. Forest Beauties have a single generation annually, with adults only seen between December and May when the females scatter their fertilised eggs among grass on the forest floor. The larvae feed on various grasses and is slow growing; the full life-cycle from egg to adult takes a whole year.
Forest Beauty
Forest Beauty
Forest Beauty
Forest Beauty
Forest Beauty
Forest Beauty
DeWetsWild 
These butterflies definitely live up to their name.
I fully agree, Carol. Thank you for visiting with us again!
Always love a butterfly and this one is quite pretty.
Glad we’re agreed, Janet!
Butterflies and their life cycle are such interesting creatures! Nice captures!
That’s certainly true, John. And thanks for the kind comment on the photos.
Wow, the life-cycle literally contributes to its true beauty!
I think you are right, Rudi. Thanks.
It is certainly a beauty!
I thought so too, thank you Anne.