Dira swanepoeli

Dira swanepoeli
Dira swanepoeli
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Tribe: Satyrini
Genus: Dira
Species: D. swanepoeli
Binomial name
Dira swanepoeli
(van Son, 1939)
Synonyms
  • Leptoneura swanepoeli van Son, 1939

The Swanepoel’s Widow (Dira swanepoeli) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in the Limpopo Province and the southern slopes of the Blouberg Range in South Africa[1].

The wingspan is 58-65 mm for males and 60-68 mm for females. Adults are on wing from late February to early March. There is one generation per year[2]

The larvae feed on various Poaceae species, including Eragrostis aspera, Ehrharta erecta and Pennisetum clandestinum.

Subspecies

  • Dira swanepoeli swanepoeli (northern Transvaal)
  • Dira swanepoeli isolata van Son, 1955 (Blouberg Range in northern Transvaal)

References

  1. ^ Dira, Site of Markku Savela
  2. ^ Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town:Struik Publishers, 2005.
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