Common Geranium-Bronze

Description:

With its wings folded up this butterfly as a beautiful brown and white pattern that becomes soft white hairs on the body broken by the very large eyes. The upper surface of the wing is all dark brown with a white edgeing.As its name suggests these butterflies lay their eggs on the plants of the genera Pelargonium and Geranium. It is a native to South Africa but was accidently brough to Europe in 1978 and has become very wide spread and a pest of the above plants. In South Africa it is believed to be kept in check by predation although any predator or parasict oppertunist is yet to be found.

Habitat:

Usually gardens where geraniums are grown or bushvelt

Notes:

Updated with a picture of the caterpillar