Common Missile

Scientific Name
Meza meza
HEWITSON, 1877
Specie in
Family
Common Missile
Meza meza, Bobiri forest, Ghana – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

The genus Meza comprises of 9 small species, all of which are found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Meza meza is a west African species found from Ghana to Angola.

Habitats

This species is found in forest edge habitats at altitudes between sea level and about 800m.

Lifecycle

The larva has been reported as feeding on the grass Paspalum ( Poaceae ) but all other members of this genus feed on dicotyledons including Linaceae, Fabaceae and Dichapetalaceae.

Adult behaviour

The butterflies can be found in one’s and two’s in forest edge habitats e.g. along logging roads and in glades. In the early morning sunshine they bask on bushes and low herbage, adopting the typical Hesperiine posture as illustrated at the top of this page. Later in the day they retire to semi-shaded areas, often beneath trees, but periodically emerge to nectar at the flowers of nearby herbaceous plants. When nectaring they usually hold their wings erect over the back.

More on this topic

Previous article
Next article
Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Meza meza
by
HEWITSON, 1877
Family
SubFamily
HESPERIINAE
Tribe
N/A
SubTribe
N/A

Related Species