Introduction
Bicyclus is the most numerous of the Satyrine genera in Africa, comprising of about 85 species, 50 of which occur in West Africa. The butterflies are collectively known as Bush Browns, and can be thought of as the sister genus to the Asian Mycalesis.
Bicyclus are characterised by having a regular series of submarginal ocelli on the hindwings, and a pair of ocelli on the forewings, of which the lower ocellus is always the largest. In most species the ocelli are very prominent, but in a few species such as sweadneri they are vestigial, especially in the dry season morph. Most species have very rounded wings, but again there are a few exceptions such as zinebi which has a squarish apex on its forewings, and sambulos which has a stumpy “tail” on the hindwings.
Bicyclus funebris is found from Gambia and Senegal to Cameroon, and south to Zambia, Uganda and western Tanzania.
Habitats
This species is essentially a forest insect, preferring the drier and more open woodlands. It also occurs in dense thickets in savannah country, and in riparian forest.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Setaria, Digitaria, Imperata and various other grasses.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies fly mainly on sunny mornings, in clearings, glades and along logging roads. They have a slow lazy floppy flight, and settle frequently to rest on low herbage, often in the shade.