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

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