Introduction
The genus Colotis comprises of 40 species, 39 of which are primarily or entirely Afrotropical in distribution. The majority have pure white uppersides, with prominent orange, yellow or crimson tips to the forewings. A few however, including amata, phisadia and vesta have uppersides that are more akin to the Colias Clouded Yellows in appearance, although they are only distantly unrelated, being members of a different subfamily.
Colotis amata is distributed across Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia, and south to Namibia, South Africa and Madagascar. It is also found in Arabia, and is widespread on the Indian subcontinent, including on Sri Lanka.
Habitats
This species inhabits hot arid areas including coastal grassland, Acacia scrub, savannah, farmland, and large clearings in dry forests. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The larvae are gregarious, feeding on Salvadora ( Salvadoraceae ).
Adult behaviour
The butterflies commonly bask on the foliage of bushes, with their wings either half-open or almost fully outspread. Both sexes are fond of nectaring at Tridax and at mints ( Lamiaceae ).
