Charaxes jasius
In South Africa the Foxy Emperor Butterfly is found from the North West Province, through Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the northern Free State and Kwazulu-Natal to the eastern-most reaches of the Eastern Cape Province, commonly occurring in habitats ranging from forest edge to dry savanna and regularly encountered on top of hills. Adults have a wingspan of up to 9cm (females are slightly bigger than males) and may be seen throughout the year. They’re very fast fliers and are attracted to sap flowing from damaged tree trunks, rotting fruit and wet dung. The larvae feed on a wide range of plant species.

Gorgeous butterfly!
I knew you’d love it!
You were right!!
That’s a beautiful butterfly, and very regal also! Thanks for sharing with us these photos.
Thank you very much for your kind contribution, Hien!
Die Engelse naam vir die ou skoenlappertjie is nogal statig (wel, die “emperor” gedeelte in elk geval). Hulle is dalk “fast fliers”, maar nie vinnig genoeg om jou lens te ontglip nie 😉. Pragtige foto’s.
Baie dankie, Corna. Gelukkig het hulle nogal n gewoonte om na dieselfde sitplek terug te keer, so mens kan hulle lekker voorsit.
Rather a wonderful creature
Agree, thanks Sue!
😊
Koppie-dubbel-stert, oulike naam. Dubbel stert kan ek verstaan maar hoekom koppie, wonder ek. Daardie Demon Emporer mot moet mens sommer doodslaan!
Die Koppie Dubbelstert het n gewoonte om bo-op koppies te versamel, Ineke
Aha dis te oulik. Baie goed beskryf.
That’s a beauty! Know in Europe as the Two-tailed Pasha, I’ve yet to see one when I visit Corfu.
Seems some authorities have elevated the subspecies that occurs here – saturnus – to full species status.
As lovely as the butterflies and photos are, the names are even better! 🥰
I sometimes wish the people who gave our butterflies their names would have a go at those boring bird names!