Salamis anacardii

Clouded Mother-of-Pearl

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: “Nymphalinae”
Estimated Lifespan 27 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 397
First Flown On: 10/14/02
Last Flown On: 09/13/24

Species Range:

  • “Africa”

Host plants:

  • The larvae are known to feed on plants in the genus Asystasia
  • Brillantaisia
  • Isoglossa
  • Justicia
  • Mimulopsis
  • Paulowilhelmia and Iopsis.

Food Source

The adults may visit flowers from time to time but they are more often observed visiting small puddles or dung.

Etymology Of Name

Salamis is an island of Greece in the Saronic Gulf east of Athens. The origin of the specie anacardii is currently unknown.

Habitat

The Clouded Mother-of-Pearl prefer areas where deciduous forest and dense savannah are found.

Life history

Both the male and female are aggressive fliers. After mating females go from host plant to host plant laying eggs individually. When the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the host plant until they form their chrysalis.

Flights

Currently unavailable

Fun Facts

At first glance you may think this butterfly is just black and white. But if you take a close look at a live specimen you will that the white portions of this butterfly are iridescent and shimmering with a variety of colors. With such an amazing color and pattern it is not hard to see why some people say it is the prettiest of all the African butterflies.