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Euxanthe wakefieldi
Forest queens are an afrotropical genus of butterflies from the Nymphalidae family. This specimen was spotted in the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Euxanthe wakefieldi is the only Forest queen reported on Zanzibar.
Spotted in coral rag forest. Habitats include lowland and coastal forest. In Tanzania mostly from sea-level to 600 m but up to over 2 000 m. Distribution: Kenya (coast, inland to Meru), Tanzania (coast, and Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar Islands, inland to Nguru Mountains), Malawi, Zambia (east), Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east), South Africa (Limpopo Province – east, Mpumalanga – east, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland.
Source of information: BUTTERFLIES AND SKIPPERS OF THE AFROTROPICAL REGION (PAPILIONOIDEA AND HESPERIOIDEA) © Seventh edition (2008) FILE H – CHARAXINAE (NYMPHALIDAE) Compiled by Mark C. Williams
Always a good idea to check for distribution! There are several species of Forest queens (Genus Euxanthe), but only one in Zanzibar: Euxanthe wakefieldi. Thanks again for the lead Martin!
atbutterflies.com/.../nymphalidae_euxanthini.do...
Thanks for your comments Satyen and Martin! Martin I think you've nailed it! I had noticed that the white pattern didn't match but you're right about the wing shape also. I'll check the distribution of the African queen before updating and look into the mimicry issue. Happy New Year and wishing you many great spottings for 2012!
The African Blue Tiger (Tirumala petiverana) has a pale black underwing - this is rusty brown. The white patterns differ also. This species has rounder wings. It would be an interesting question if mimicry occurs with this pair.
I found a foto of the exact speciman in a blog. the search was butterfly species of zanzibar. the speciman was on someones hand and they mentioned the photo was taken at the center. Good luck and happy new year!!!!
Thank you IgCostaNut! I have actually stopped there and they helped me ID two spottings from a previous trip (they are right at the entrance of the park!). They didn't have the species I am thinking about at the time of visit and I'm trying to find it on their website but I can't see it (I must be blind). By default I'm relatively confident it must the African blue tiger, but somehow the markings are slightly different from the rare pics I can see on the internet... sending my pic may be the thing to do!
Daniele, if you don't get an I.D. you can send your photo to http://www.zanzibarbutterflies.com/ where they are farming this species.