Torynesis orangica, the Golden Gate widow, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is only known to be found in Brandwag Buttress and Mushroom Rocks in the Golden Gate Highlands and Titanic Rock near Clarens in Free State.

Golden Gate widow
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Torynesis
Species:
T. orangica
Binomial name
Torynesis orangica
Vári, 1971[1]

The wingspan of the Golden Gate widow is 42–52 mm for males and 45–55 mm for females. Adults are on the wing from late December to early February (with a peak in January). There is one generation per year[2]

The larvae feed on various Poaceae species, including Merxmuellera species.

References edit

  1. ^ Torynesis at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.