Dark Blue Pansy

Description:

The dark blue pansy is a common species of Nymphalidae found across sub-Saharan Africa, southern Arabia and on Madagascar. The underwings pattern is beautiful and complex. On the second shot the butterfly opened its wings briefly to reveal its two red dots on the top of the forewings.

Habitat:

Spotted in a garden near the beach in Mbweni, near Stonetown, Zanzibar. This species is primarily found in savannah/woodland, but has adapted to many other habitats, so that it is now common in acacia scrub, open areas of rainforest, grassy hillsides, parks, and city gardens.

Notes:

The genus Junonia comprises about 33 species which are found variously in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. There are 17 species found in Africa. Check http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Afr... for good dorsal view.