The Angola White Lady butterfly (scientific name: Graphium angolanus)

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(Edited)

Hello dear photography lovers
Today I want to share with you photos of a wonderful butterfly called Angola White Lady. It's a beautiful butterfly i always see in my farm and environment. They are so harmless, helpful and productive.
The Angola White Lady butterfly (scientific name: Graphium angolanus) is a fascinating species of swallowtail butterfly found throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

  • Appearance:
    • It has a wingspan of approximately 2.6 to 3.0 inches (65-75 mm).
    • The wings are primarily black with distinctive white markings on the upper side.
    • The underside of the wings has brick-red areas at the base.
    • The hindwings are tailless and angled at the extremities of the veins.
    • Females can exhibit polymorphism, mimicking different patterns and coloration, possibly to deter predators or avoid male harassment.
  • Habitat and Distribution:
    • It is widely distributed across Central and Southern Africa, from Gambia and Ethiopia in the north, south to Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, and western South Africa.
    • It primarily inhabits savannah, acacia scrub, and dry open woodland. It can also be found in smaller numbers along logging roads and in sunny clearings within rainforests.
  • Diet:
    • Adults: Nectar from a variety of flowers. Males are often seen in groups, imbibing mineralized moisture from muddy tracks and forest roads, sometimes forming large swarms.
    • Larvae (caterpillars): Feed on plants from the families Annonaceae (e.g., Annona senegalensis, Uvaria species), Apocynaceae (e.g., Landolphia species), and Malpighiaceae (e.g., Sphedamnocarpus species).
  • Life Cycle: Eggs are laid singly on the upper surface of young host plant leaves. The full-grown larva has distinct spines on several segments. The pupa has a long hump on its mesothorax.
  • Interesting Facts:
    • It belongs to the Papilionidae family, commonly known as swallowtails.
    • Unlike some other Graphium species, the Angola White Lady does not have sword-like tails on its hindwings.
    • Sustainable farming of these butterflies helps protect natural forest habitats and promote local economic growth.
      The Angola White Lady is a common and striking butterfly, playing an important role as a pollinator in its African ecosystems.

Picture: Photography
Category: Butterfly
Camera use: Handphone
Model: Redmi14C
Photographer: @ubglo17
Location: Idu Uruan,Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Link to original: Community



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