Large Orange tip

Scientific Name
Colotis antevippe
BOISDUVAL, 1836
Specie in
Family
Large Orange tip
Colotis antevippe, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia – Peter Bruce-Jones

Introduction

The genus Colotis comprises of 40 species, 39 of which are primarily or entirely Afrotropical in distribution. The majority of species have pure white uppersides, with prominent orange, yellow or crimson tips to the forewings. The undersides of most are pale whitish or buff, marked with sooty blackish submarginal spots, and a band of smaller post-median spots.

Colotis antevippe is a widespread and fairly common insect, distributed from Gambia to Ethiopia and south to Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa. It also occurs in s.w Arabia.

Habitats

This species inhabits savannah, Acacia scrub and large clearings in dry woodlands.

Lifecycle

The larval foodplants include Maerua, Capparis, Boscia, Cabada and Ritchiea ( Capparaceae ).

Adult behaviour

Colotis antevippe is migratory in behaviour, and will fly long distances to seek new breeding areas when the dry season sets in. In sunny weather the butterflies are very active and rarely settle for long, but they can be found basking among the grasses or on bushes, early or late in the day when temperatures are lower.

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Colotis antevippe
by
BOISDUVAL, 1836
Family
SubFamily
PIERINAE
Tribe
COLOTINI
SubTribe
N/A

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