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Guieafowl butterfly

Hamanumida daedalus

Description:

Wingspan app. 6-7 cm. The genus Hamanumida comprises of a single species - daedalus, which is popularly known as the Guineafowl due to it's colour and pattern which resembles that of the guineafowl bird. Hamanumida daedalus is widespread across Africa including Madagascar. It also occurs in the Arab states.

Habitat:

Meadow. Savanna. Mlawula Nature reserve

Notes:

Family - NYMPHALIDAE, subfamily - IMENITIDINAE, Tribe - ADOLIADINI This is a grassland / savannah species found at altitudes between sea level and about 800m. It is associated mainly with dry, rocky grassland where there are scattered bushes and trees, but also rapidly colonises abandoned agricultural land. The primary larval foodplant is Combretum, but Terminalia and Tectona ( teak ) are also used. The butterflies are normally seen singly or in two's and three's. Males will mud-puddle at the edges of fords and small streams, but both sexes are more commonly seen aggregating at the top of hills where courtship and copulation take place. They fly very low over the ground, and frequently settle to bask on bare ground or on rocks or boulders. At all times they remain very alert, taking flight at the slightest disturbance.

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3 Comments

Tom15
Tom15 9 years ago

Tina, that description sounds like you've been watching me in the field with my camera:-) But it's all worth it!

Tiz
Tiz 9 years ago

I know that you know how it is... Dirty knees and elbows, a few ticks and ants crawling on ya, the hat to far down on the head , and a lot of missed opportunities... But sometimes it works... And that makes it worth it :)

Tom15
Tom15 9 years ago

Nice series. I bet it wasn't easy getting all the different shots you did on a butterfly that's always alert.

Tiz
Spotted by
Tiz

Sifundza seLubombo, Swaziland

Spotted on Mar 17, 2014
Submitted on May 17, 2014

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