This butterfly’s curious name hints at the way in which the sexes are differentiated. (L) Male Zebra Blue species (upper side) (Photograph: Justin Bode); ® Female Zebra Blue (upper side) (Photograph: Steve Woodhall) The Leptotes genus is represented by five … Read more
This excellent total was recorded by Christopher Willis on a recent trip to the reserve. Big-eye Small Ringlet (Paternympha loxophthalma) – photograph taken by Christopher Willis on a recent visit to Verloren Valei Christopher Willis, Chief Director: National Botanical Gardens … Read more
Christopher Willis and David Edge outline the reproductive behaviour of Verloren Valei’s celebrated endemic butterfly. Mating pair of Dullstroom Blue (formerly Warren’s Blue) (Photograph: Christopher Willis) Discovered by RT Warren and his family in 1988-89, and named in their honour, … Read more
A recent article paints a bleak future for this butterfly—and, by implication, for its fellow rarity, the Dullstroom Blue. Dullstroom Blue (formerly Warren’s Blue)–endemic to Verloren Valei (Photograph: Justin Bode) A recent article in Metamorphosis, the journal of the Lepidopterists’ … Read more
As its name suggests, the Northern Orange-banded Protea feeds on protea buds. Northern Orange-banded Protea (upperside) (Photograph: Justin Bode) Capys Alpheus extentsus, the Northern Orange-banded Protea orVerdwaalde Oranjeband Suikerbossie. is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The Capys (Protea butterflies) … Read more
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
