Introduction
The genus Gnophodes comprises of 3 known species: G. betsimena and chelys are both widely distributed across the forested regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with chelys having a more western distribution, being found from Sierra Leone to western Kenya.
The third species grogani is restricted to Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda.
The butterflies (together with the allied genus Melanitis) are commonly known as Evening Browns due to their preference for flying after dark.
Habitats
Gnophodes chelys is a forest butterfly but it can be found in degraded forest and plantations, and more rarely in parks and gardens.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is the foxtail grass Setaria.
Adult behaviour
The butterflies are normally encountered singly, typically after being disturbed from their resting places in the forest undergrowth. They fly mainly at dusk and are sometimes attracted into houses by artificial lighting. They can occasionally be seen flying in daylight if conditions are overcast.