Phalanta eurytis
In South Africa, the Forest Leopard Butterfly is found over most of Kwazulu-Natal and along the escarpment in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, where it inhabits dense woodland and forests (coastal, riverine and montane). Beyond our borders their distribution stretches through tropical Africa to Sudan and Ethiopia. Adults have a wingspan of about 45mm and are on the wing year round. They’re attracted to flowers and wet mud.
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
Forest Leopard butterfly
A very eye-catching butterfly!
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Indeed, Carol. Do they frequent your garden, or are you just to deep inland?
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Previously I have identified the African Leopard butterfly in our garden, but I have not thought to double-check against the Forest Leopard butterfly! So I will have to look more closely in future to see if perhaps we do indeed get both.
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Great shots, Dries. Such a pretty butterfly.
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Thank you very much, Sylvia!
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I had to look twice to see the difference between it and the African Leopard Butterfly that was featured in the WordPress Reader from your earlier post on that butterfly.
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They do look very similar indeed, John.
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It is true to its name! Very nice shots!
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Thank you very much, Hien
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Beautiful!
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They certainly are, Sue
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I rarely see butterflies these days
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A sad reality of the world we find ourselves in, Sue.
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Yep
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Very nice! Looks very much like a Fritillary.
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Thanks, Brian. Perhaps they’re from a closely related genus?
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You have a steady eye, a steady hand and quick reflexes – much to my enjoyment 🙂
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You’re very kind, Anne. Thank you!
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So pretty! It reminds me of tortoiseshell.
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I agree, Lois, that those underwing patterns makes for a pretty butterfly!
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