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 stygia is found from Senegal to the Congo. A very similar species gregorii (which some writers consider to be a subspecies of stygia) is found from eastern Nigeria to western Kenya.
Habitats
This species is found in degraded forest habitats, usually in shady areas.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Asystasia, Barleria, Justicia, Paulowilhelmia and Phaulopsis.
Adult behaviour
The adult butterflies are usually found in two’s or three’s, either nectaring, or – if conditions are a little cloudy, basking or resting, in the vicinity of flowers.