Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Common Diadem (Hypolimnas misippus)

Common Diadem (Hypolimnas misippus) family Nymphalidae


They are also known as Eggflies and found in Africa, Asia and Australia.

These butterflies are large and the males are easily recognized by their large white spots fringed with blue.

The females are almost plain orange as seen in the picture and tend to mimic the African Monarch.

Their distribution in South Africa covers mostly the warmer north eastern part where they prefer open grassland and gardens where they feed on the nectar of flowers.
at

6 comments:

  1. GaelynJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    It's a beauty. Obviously they live nearby you?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tammie LeeJanuary 17, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    they are all so lovely. fun to see them at a time of year when we have none - winter. I hope this finds you well and enjoying your days.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SAPhotographs (Joan)January 17, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Thanks Gaelyn. Yes, all these beauties I am posting are found right in my back yard. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. SAPhotographs (Joan)January 17, 2012 at 6:37 PM

    Thanks Tammie Lee. Always nice to hear from you. Oh my, seeing that snow and ice you are having makes me feel cold. :) Not too long to go till summer starts creeping in for you, till then, enjoy my summer pics with me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BeckyJanuary 21, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    I love Butterflies of course, and greatly missed them again this year. Not many showed up, and I only raised one Monarch that survived.
    B.

    ReplyDelete
  6. SAPhotographs (Joan)January 25, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    Thanks Becky. Last year we had enough butterflies but no beetles. Maybe it was the late rains we had? I have not tried to get anything to breed out this year. No time. :)

    ReplyDelete