Spica Dotted Border

Scientific Name
Mylothris spica
M�SCHLER, 1884
Specie in
Family
Spica Dotted Border
Mylothris spica, Bunso, Ghana – Adrian Hoskins

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.

The butterflies are sometimes confused with Belenois species but the latter are larger, and have a double row of submarginal spots.

Mylothris spica is a rare species, endemic to Ghana.

Habitats

This species is found in shady areas within the wetter forests.

Lifecycle

The lifecycle appears to be unrecorded, but in common with other Mylothris species the larvae will almost certainly use Loranthaceae as foodplants.

Adult behaviour

This is a rare species which is usually encountered singly. The flight is slow and deliberate, and in conjunction with the conspicuous appearance is indicative that the butterflies are distasteful to avian predators. It is likely that the toxins within their bodies are derived from the larval foodplants.

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Mylothris spica
by
M�SCHLER, 1884
Family
SubFamily
PIERINAE
Tribe
PIERINI
SubTribe
N/A

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