Introduction
The genus Junonia comprises about 33 species which are found variously in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
There are 17 species found in mainland Africa – hadrope, westermanni, artaxia, stygia, gregorii, terea, natalica, chorimene, touhilimasa, ansorgei, cymodoce, africana, schmiedeli, sophia, orithya, hierta and oenone. The latter 3 species also occur on Madagascar. Additionally there are 2 species endemic to Madagascar – rhadama and goudoti.
Junonia sophia is a very widespread and common species, found from Senegal to Ethiopia, and south to Angola, Zambia and Malawi.
Habitats
This very pretty species is found in degraded forest habitats, e.g. in clearings, glades and along wide logging roads. It is also common in parks and gardens.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Asystasia, Brilliantaisia, Barleria, Justicia, Ruellia and Paulowilhelmia.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies tend to form small colonies. Typically a dozen or so can be found flying together in sunny forest glades and similar semi-open habitats, where they bask on grass-heads or flowers with wings fully outspread.
