Introduction
The 4 species which comprise the genus Protogoniomorpha, i.e. cytora, parhassus, anacardii and temora were all formerly included in the genus Salamis. They are entirely African in distribution.
The upper surface of the wings is greenish-white, with a mother-of-pearl sheen. When seen in flight the butterfly is stunningly beautiful, with flashes of pink, purple, yellow and green reflecting back as the angle of the wings changes in relation to the sunlight. The colour and pattern is almost identical to that of parhassus but is decidedly smaller, with a wingspan of about 80mm.
Protogoniomorpha anacardii is found throughout the forested regions of sub-Saharan Africa, from Sierra Leone to South Africa and Madagascar.
Habitats
Unlike its larger relative parhassus this species is usually found in fairly dry and open forests but it does also occur in open clearings or disturbed areas of rainforest.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Asystasia, Isoglossa, Mimulopsis, Paulowilhelmia, Hypoestes, Justicia and Phaulopsis (Acanthaceae).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are usually found singly, or in two’s and three’s.
Males perch on the lower foliage of trees, or at the top of tall bushes, usually with their wings held slightly apart. They swoop down to intercept and chase other passing butterflies, indulging in a spectacular aerial battle, with their shimmering mother-of-pearl iridescence glinting in the sunshine.
