Junonia orithya
The Eyed Pansy is a widespread butterfly occurring from South Africa (Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, northern Free State, Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo), through most of Africa, southern and south-east Asia all the way to Australia. They inhabit grassland and thorny savanna habitats. Adults may be seen at anytime of year, usually in open areas where they fly low and fast, often settling on the same bare patches – its Afrikaans name of “Padwagtertjie” stems from its habit of sitting on road surfaces. The males are territorial and defend their patch vigorously. The sexes are similar in appearance and adults have a wingspan of 4-5cm. The larvae is sustained on a diverse selection of plants.

Padwagtertjie – ek’s mal oor die naam! En jy het pragtige foto’s (die blou kleur op hulle vlerkies is so mooi).
Ek wens meer van ons voëls het ook sulke oulike name soos ons skoenlappers gehad!
Gorgeous butterfly 🦋! Great captures!
Thank you kindly, Robert
A real beauty.
Absolutely!
A beautiful butterfly well captured by your patience and excellent eye-hand co-ordination 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Anne, but truth be told its just lots and lots of trying!
What a beauty! And what a game between France and the Boks! I was exhausted just watching. The Ireland-All Blacks game was quite something as well.
Some really thrilling games behind us, and I think the remaining three will be the same!
Hul is ook redelik volop. Is die yellow Pansy nie meer as Eyed Pansy nie? Padwagtertjie wat ‘n mooi beskrywende naam vir hulle. Afrikaans het darem ook sy unike beskrywende woorde.
Jy is reg, Ineke. Vergeleke met hierdie spesie is die Yellow Pansy baie meer talryk.
Ek geniet ook die pragtige Afrikaanse name van so baie van ons skoenlappers.