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 largely Afrotropical genus of 75 species, with extensions into the Palaearctic and Oriental Regions, reaching Japan in the former. There are 42 Afrotropical species and five South African species. They are colloquially known as the ‘Bars’, ‘Silverlines’ or ‘Barred Blues’.
The Natal Silverline is the largest and most widespread species in the genus. The males have a wingspan of between 25mm and 32.5mm and the female a wingspan of 26.5mm to 34mm. The butterfly is common where its foodplant is found. The caterpillars have been recorded feeding in Canthium inerme, Clerodendrum glabrum, Mundulea sericea and Sphenostylis angustifolia.
Natal Silverlines are on the wing throughout the year with peaks between September to October and March to May. They have a rapid light with very fast wing beast, especially the males. The males perch on prominent hilltop bushes, often upside down with their wings half open. Both the males and females are found on flowers and at mud puddles.
It’s theorised that their markings are an adaptation to fool predators. Short tails on their hind wings combined with eyespots on their wings look like a false head, fooling predators into attacking their rear ends, without which they can survive. The male butterfly’s habit of hanging its head down with its false head upward further contributes to this optical illusion.
Natal Silverline (upper side) (Photograph: © Justin Bode)
There are only three records of Natal Silverline in Verloren Valei with the last record dating back to February 2017, so it would be a good idea to keep an eye open for these delightful butterflies.
Distribution map of Natal Silverline in South Africa
Sources
MC Williams, Afrotropical Butterflies, www.metamorphosis.org.za, February 2022
S Woodhall, Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town, 2020
African Butterfly News 2023 – 3