Introduction
There are 72 described species in the genus Cymothoe, a group of large and magnificent butterflies commonly known as Gliders. The genus is entirely Afrotropical in distribution.
The males vary in colour, ranging from the pure white of caenis, and the deep ochreous yellow and chocolate brown of fumana, to the fabulous and aptly named Blood Red Glider sangaris. There are several “red” species – anitorgis, hartigi, haimodia, coccinata, ogova, excelsa, aramis, mabillei and sangaris. The males of these species are all extremely similar in appearance, but coccinata can be recognised by the tiny black submarginal chevrons on the hindwings.
Cymothoe coccinata is a West African species, found from Sierra Leone to Ghana.
Habitats
This is a rainforest species, found at altitudes between about 100-500m.
Lifecycle
The eggs are laid singly on Rinorea (Violaceae).
Adult behaviour
On sunny mornings both sexes spend their time high in the tree tops, but in the afternoon they will sometimes descend to bask on low herbage. The gorgeous orange-red males also settle on forest tracks to imbibe moisture from damp patches.