Catopsilia florella, the African migrant, African emigrant, or common vagrant, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It is found in Africa (including Madagascar), Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman) and the Canary Islands. Like Catopsilia pomona, this species also has a habit of migration.[3]Many early authors mentioned the presence of this species in Asia;[4][5] but those were probably due to confusion arises as Catopsilia pyranthe females exhibit a lot of seasonal variations.[6] Catopsilia florella is not included as a species in India in any recent checklists.[7]
Catopsilia florella | |
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Male, Ghana | |
Female Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Pieridae |
Genus: | Catopsilia |
Species: | C. florella
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Binomial name | |
Catopsilia florella | |
Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 54–60 mm for males and 56–66 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round. From South Africa, adults migrate from summer to autumn. They fly in a north-eastern direction.[8]
The larvae feed on Senna occidentalis, Senna septentrionalis, Senna petersiana, Senna italica, Cassia javanica, and Cassia fistula.[9]
Gallery
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mating migrant male (l) & dry season female (r), Gambia
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Egg from United Arab Emirates
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from United Arab Emirates
References
edit- ^ Armstrong, A.J.; Westrip, J.R.S. (2021). "Catopsilia florella". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T174213A161331664. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T174213A161331664.en. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ Catopsilia florella at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Larsen, T. B. (1992). "Migration of Catopsilia florella in Botswana (Lepidoptera:Pieridae)". Tropical Lepidoptera. 3 (2): 11. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Bingham, C.T. (1907). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. II (1st ed.). London: Taylor and Francis, Ltd. pp. 223–224.
- ^ Larsen, T. B. (1977). "Butterfly Migrations in the Nilgiri Hills of South India (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera)". The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 74: 546–549. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Swinhoe, Charles (1905–1910). Lepidoptera Indica. Vol. VII. London: Lovell Reeve and Co. pp. 90–94.
- ^ Varshney, R.; Smetacek, P. A Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India (2015 ed.). New Delhi: Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal and Indinov Publishing. p. 67.
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- ^ Martiré, J. & Rochat, D. (2008). Les Papillons de la Réunion & leurs chenilles. Biotope.