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Bushveld Orange tip

Collotis pallene

Photo by KarenSaxton
Published on Project Noah
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-17.7705, 25.1881

Field Notes

Description:

This medium sized orange tip appears to be captured by a dragonfly. As several species have similar markings, one can assume the dragonfly marking spooks other insect predators.

Habitat:

near the baobab

Notes:

There are supposedly 11 species of butterfly on the island according to the owner of the lodge

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
pamsai
Karen, can't say I noticed this effect, but then I think the markings on the ones in Uganda were slightly different. The dragonfly wing part wasn't so prominent
KarenSaxton
It was pretty amazing. Had us following one for quite some time until he lighted long enough to see that it was just a single butterfly!
LaurenZarate
Truly interesting! I would love to see the double flight optical illusion!
KarenSaxton
Thank you Pam! Did yours look as if they'd been caught by a dragonfly and were fluttering helplessly? These did and you could see what looked like a shadow and what looked like the predating dragonfly. Until it lighted on a pant.
KarenSaxton
Thank you, Maria. This butterfly completely captivated us. When he flew the "dragonfly wings" seemed to flutter at a different rate. Great optical illusion in nature

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World
Photographed
PublishedMay 30, 2014

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