Introduction
There are 5 known species in the genus Monza, all of which are Afrotropical in distribution. The most widespread and abundant of these is alberti which occurs from Senegal to western Kenya. It is smaller than cretacea, and darker, almost black.
Monza cretacea is found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Sierra Leone to Uganda, western Kenya and north-west Tanzania.
Habitats
This species is found in dry forests, secondary woodland, and along logging roads and clearings in rainforest. It also occurs in thickets in savannah country.
Lifecycle
The larvae have been reared in captivity on Setaria and Saccharum (Poaceae), but the wild foodplants are unrecorded. The larva of the closely related species alberti has been found feeding on Pennisetum in the wild.
Adult behaviour
The butterfly is normally encountered in low numbers. Males perch on low foliage in forest-edge habitats to await passing females.