In what has become an annual event, LepSoc Africa hosted a field trip focused on butterflies on 12 December 2020. The LepSoc field trip this year was led by Jeremy Dobson, the President of LepSoc Africa and Justin Bode, the … Read More
LepSoc Africa will host its annual field trip on 12 December 2020. Verloren Valei is home to two butterfly species that only exist there — Warren’s Blue and Clark’s Lost Widow. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to sight one … Read More
The Mountain Sylph butterfly is confined to high-altitude grasslands and loves wetland environments—it’s almost as if Verloren Valei was designed for it. By Justin Bode Metisella aegipan aegipan, Mountain sylph or Berg-walsertjie has a scattered distribution in the high-altitude montane … Read More
The Gaudy Commodore has two seasonal forms so distinct they look like members of separate species. By Jeremy Dobson The Gaudy Commodore (Precis octavia) is widespread in the Afrotropical region; the local subspecies, the Eastern Gaudy Commodore (Precis octavia sesamus) … Read More
Correcting some common misconceptions about the Great Little White Butterfly Migration. By Justin Bode A common sight towards the end of December and early January in years after good rains is large swarms of white butterflies flying across the country. … Read More
The Common Geranium Bronze butterfly is widespread, and can easily be attracted into suburban gardens. By Justin Bode Cacyreus marshalli, colloquially known as the Common Geranium Bronze or the Malvabloutjie, is native to South Africa and one of our most … Read More
The Alpine Widow butterfly is a denizen of high-altitude grasslands and so may be seen at Verloren Valei. By Justin Bode Restricted to the high-altitude grassland in the Steenkampsberg and above Machadodorp, Dingana alticola, the Alpine widow or Alpynse-weduwee, is … Read More
Here’s a truly useful app for the butterfly chasers among us. Why not download it before you come on the LepSoc field trip to Verloren Valei on 1 December. Developed by Steve Woodhall, this app is based on the Struik … Read More
One of the more common butterflies that occurs in Verloren Valei is the Garden Acraea, Acraea horta. It is a widespread species in South Africa, absent only from the desert regions. This orange and black butterfly is a common sight … Read More
Warren’s Blue is not the only butterfly species endemic to Verloren Valei. A visitor to Verloren Valei in early summer is likely to be greeted by hundreds if not thousands of brown butterflies flying across the grasslands and around the … Read More
