This charming butterfly is rarely recorded on Verloren Valei—who will be next to sight it? Natal Silverline (underside) (Photograph: © Justin Bode) Cigaritis natalensis, Natal Silverline/ Natal Bar(Skitterblou streepvlerkie) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Cigaritis (Silverlines) is a … Read More
Butterflies have a reputation for sweetness and light, and are often used as emblems of a benign nature. Not so fast, says butterfly guru, Steve Woodhall. Euchrysops malathana — members of Euchrysops typically have a mutualistic relationship with ants (Photograph: … Read More
It’s all about collecting data to identify long-term trends in the butterfly world—and in the process about biodiversity generally. A new app aims to gather important data on butterflies and moths. The Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa) is collaborating … Read More
Another member of the brush-footed butterfly tribe occurs at Verloren Valei. By Justin Bode Long-Winged Orange Telchinia (underside) (Photograph: © Justin Bode) Telchinia alalonga, Long-winged Orange Telchinia or Long-winged Maber, Langvlerk rooitjie is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, the … Read More
Jeremy Dobson reports back on a successful foray into Verloren Valei’s butterfly world. Field trip participants — plus the all-important nets (Photograph: Jeremy Dobson) As you may know, LepSoc Africa (LSA) holds corporate membership of Friends of Verloren Valei (FVV), … Read More
Alan Lee, Ian Davies, and Carrie Seltzer profile iNaturalist, eBird and the African Bird Atlas Project. With a limited number of conservationists and ornithologists across Africa, the importance of the contributions of citizen scientists to our understanding of birds cannot … Read More
It’s only been seen once at Verloren Valei—time to get your spotting shoes on. Dancing Telchinia (upper side) (Photograph: © Justin Bode) Telchinia serena is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, the so called “brush-footed butterflies”. The name derives from … Read More
This migratory butterfly species is starting to reveal its secrets. The Painted Lady, also known as Sondagsrokkie or, more officially Vanessa cardui, is a common butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. This family is called “brush-footed butterflies” because, in the adults, … Read More
The African Yellow Pansy butterfly is one of the most commonly seen lepidoptera at Verloren Valei, but that should not distract us from its intrinsic beauty. The African Yellow Pansy or Geel Gesiggie (Junonia hierta cebrene) is a common and … Read More
Infrequently observed at Verloren Valei, the Basuto Skolly or Basuto magpie has a somewhat disreputable reputation, as its name implies. By Justin Bode Thestor basutus, Basuto Skolly or Basoetoe Skollie, is the most widely distributed species in its genus. While … Read More
