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 terea is a very common and widespread species, found from Senegal to southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia; and south to Congo, Tanzania and Transvaal.
Habitats
This species is found in glades, clearings and forest edge habitats, at altitudes between sea level and about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Asystasia, Barleria, Hygrophila, Justicia, Paulowilhelmia, Phaulopsis and Ruellia (Acanthaceae).
Adult behaviour
Both sexes visit flowers for nectar, but less so than is the case with other Junonia species. They are more commonly seen basking, usually among low herbage, in damper parts of their habitats.
