Introduction
The genus Mylothris is confined to the African continent and includes 51 species, most of which are distributed across the forest belt from Cameroon to western Kenya.
Mylothris species share a number of characteristics: They have rounded wings with a black apex on the upperside forewings. On the underside, fore and hindwings of most species have a single row of prominent black marginal spots, hence the butterflies in this genus are all known as Dotted Borders. M. chloris is untypical, having instead a broad dark margin on the hindwings.
Mylothris chloris is found from Gambia and Senegal to Ethiopia, and south to Uganda and Kenya.
Habitats
This species is found in open woodland, forest clearings, acacia scrub, savannah / forest mosaics, parks and gardens, at altitudes between sea level and about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The caterpillars of chloris feed mainly on Loranthaceae including Engelina, Phragmanthera and Loranthus; and also on Osyris (Santalaceae).
Adult behaviour
Both sexes fly throughout the day around tree tops, where courtship and copulation take place. The flight is slow and deliberate, and in conjunction with the conspicuous appearance is indicative of the fact that the butterflies are distasteful to avian predators.
Males are usually seen singly when imbibing mineralised moisture around the edges of puddles on forest tracks, normally in shaded or semi-shaded areas.
