Of Butterflies…
Mounted collection of butterflies and moths.
I recently went to an amazing lecture on gardening for butterflies by Jan Praet at Random Harvest Nursery (they charged the princely sum of R25!). I highly recommend that you keep an eye on their events (detailed in the info box) – they’re usually most worthwhile. It reminded me that there are soooo many interesting things to learn about butterflies.
In South Africa, we have around 673 species. The UK has 59 species of butterflies, whilst the United States has 750 species. If you consider that the United States is 9,867 million km², and South Africa is 1,22 million km² – you will realise that we are indeed a ‘butterfly rich’ country! Whilst many can be found in our Botanical Gardens (see info box), the great thing about butterflies is that you can, quite literally, see them anywhere!
A butterfly showing the bright colours of its wings, holding the wings vertically whilst resting.
Moths and butterflies are often confused and/or considered to be part of the same group of insects. They’re not. There are a number of ways to tell them apart – but remember, as always, for every rule there are exceptions. Typically, butterflies have club-shaped antennae, with a thickened end. By comparison, moths have antennae that are feathery, or threadlike – without a clubbed end. Butterflies typically hold their (brightly coloured) wings vertically when resting, whilst moths usually rest with wings (usually duller in colour) spread out flat or folded in a tent-like fashion over their body. Compared to moths, butterfly bodies are slender and smooth, whist moths are furrier and thicker. Butterflies are generally active during the day (diurnal) whilst moths are usually nocturnal (active at night). Butterflies form a smooth and hard chrysalis, whilst moths spin a cocoon, which is often silk-covered and can be fuzzy or rough. There are few rules that consistently hold regarding the caterpillar stage. People will say one is hairier than the other etc – but here there are so many exceptions that I don’t consider this a ‘rule’.
One of the more brightly coloured moths – exhibiting chubbier body and feathered antennae.
Phenology the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life. The brown veined white (Belenois aurota) butterflies (aka Pioneer white, African Caper White and in Afrikaans: Grasveldwitjie) usually make a migration from the Kalahari to Mozambique during January. The adults mate and lay eggs on the host species before leaving on their migration, during which they fly northeast. The primary host plant in South Africa for the caterpillars is the Shepherd’s Tree (Boscia albitrunca). They then begin their migration, flying until they succumb to complete exhaustion. If they manage to find sufficient food along the way, they can fly as far as the Mozambique Channel where they perish in the Indian Ocean. And that is about all we know about them – why they migrate the way they do is a mystery. I’ve heard it said that they are part of the food source for the sardine run – but common sense tells me that is unlikely as that event only takes place around June or July…
When one thinks of butterflies, one thinks of magical, ephemeral, herbivorous creatures – that gently sip nectar and wouldn’t hurt a fly. This is not always the case… There are many different families of butterflies, some more interesting than others.
The Spotted Sugar Ant (Camponotus maculatus) is widespread throughout South Africa. They have a unique relationship with some butterflies, especially those in the Lycaenidae family. In England, in the 19th Century when butterfly collecting was all the rage, perfect specimens were obtained by breeding butterflies. All except the Large Blue (Lycaena arion). Larvae could be found up to the third instar or moult (about half-grown) on the host plant, Wild Thyme. After that they disappeared. F W Frohawk, the greatest butterfly authority at the time, had set out to record the life histories of all British butterflies, but was thwarted by the Large Blue. In 1906 he discovered that their fully grown larvae could be found inside the nests of certain ant species. Thereafter, it took until 1915 for it to be discovered that they were (shock and horror!) actually feeding on the ant brood!! The first carnivorous butterfly had been discovered.
Typically, butterflies have club-shaped antennae, with a thickened end.
In southern Africa, Camponotus maculatus, also known as the Spotted Sugar Ant, has a unique relationship with certain butterfly species, particularly those in the Lycaenidae family. After the third instar they drop to the ground and emit a chemical which imitates the brood pheromone of this particular ant species, which solicits “carriage” into the ant nest. The caterpillar is taken down into their nest brood chamber, where it grows fat by eating the ant larvae. The chemical signal it emits seems very powerful, because if the nest is disturbed, the ants will save the butterfly larvae first. Eventually, the larva pupates within the ant nest, before emerging as a mature butterfly. To protect itself, it emits a chemical which repels the ants, and escapes through the tunnels of the ants’ nest with wings folded. When emerging, it climbs up a suitable plant, deploys its wings, and flies off to repeat the cycle again.
In a reversal of roles, the caterpillars are also often a food source – in the most gruesome way. Some parasitic wasps lay their eggs (from one to fifteen, depending on species) inside the caterpillar. To stop the caterpillar host’s immune system fighting back, each egg is coated with a virus which hijacks and chemically disables the caterpillar’s defences, enabling the larvae to slowly consume their host from the inside-out, leaving only the essential organs, to keep the surrogate ticking over. Ah – the horror. Thank goodness insects aren’t larger!
One of the Brassica species – i.e. cabbages.
An almost unbelievable anecdote (which is true) goes as follows. When Brassica species (e.g. cabbages etc) are attacked by caterpillars, they release a complex mixture of chemical compounds, including certain pheromones, which act as warning signals. These trigger a defence response in neighbouring plants which in turn produce more compounds – much the same as Acacia spp. increase tannin levels in response to browsing. But here’s where it gets really interesting. Those brassica pheromones also attract insects beneficial to the plants, such as parasitic wasps. These natural enemies then prey on the caterpillars, reducing the damage to the plants. Isn’t that phenomenal?
A group of Common Grass Yellow butterflies gathered on dung in January in the Chobe National Park. They are most likely feeding on the mineralised moisture…
The Common Grass Yellows are all fairly small butterflies, easily recognised by their bright yellow wings and their habit of gathering in small groups on patches of damp sand or soil. Their name hails from the fact that most of this species is found in disturbed grassy habitats. Males often gather in huge numbers to imbibe mineralised moisture from damp ground (or on dung) and there are many accounts of swarms of these beautiful little butterflies aggregating in this way.
A Symbol of Love
A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
and for a brief moment, its glory and beauty
belong to our world.
But then it flies again,
And though we wish it could have stayed…
We feel lucky to have seen it.
Author Unknown
As we make our way in this world, there are so many facts and stories and interesting bits and bobs along the way. I often feel like we walk around with blinkers on, missing so many incredible tales. Life is exciting when you pause, smell the roses, observe the butterflies and do the research.
May your Easter be filled with joy and happiness!
Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team
INFO BLOCK:
Random Harvest Events:
https://www.randomharvest.co.za/Events
Carnivorous UNDERCOVER caterpillar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JoEWdV7tpQ
Butterflies of South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens:
https://www.sanbi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bioseries16butterfly.pdf
Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis time-lapse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocWgSgMGxOc
Mass migration of butterflies descends in Johannesburg:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=132131277983693
Annual migration of the brown-veined white butterfly: Prof. Reinier Terblanche:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPoMZ09kmE4
Carnivorous UNDERCOVER caterpillar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JoEWdV7tpQ