False wanderer | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Pseudacraea |
Species: | P. eurytus
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Binomial name | |
Pseudacraea eurytus | |
Synonyms | |
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Pseudacraea eurytus, the false wanderer, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Africa.
For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms. |
The numerous forms of this group [eurytus group - eurytus, dolomena and rubrobasalis] may be known at once by the long, distinct black streaks on the interneural folds of the hindwing; forewing always with 5 rounded black spots in the cell and 1 or 2 at the base of cellule 1b. The butterflies stand in interesting but very complicated mimetic relations with the Planema species which fly together with them. In the males the forewing is more pointed with the distal margin straight or slightly in the females the forewing very obtusely rounded with the distal margin curved.
The wingspan is 60–68 mm for males and 65–75 mm for females.
Adults are on wing year round, but mainly from December to May. There is a strong peak in late summer.[3]
The larvae feed on Mimusops obovata, Englerophytum magalismontanum, E. natalense and Donella viridifolia.
False wanderers display a rare example of stable genetic Underdominance. This species possesses two alleles which each confer an appearance similar to that of another local butterfly species that is toxic to its predator. Individuals who are heterozygous for this trait appear to be intermediate in appearance and thus experience increased predation and lowered overall fitness, since false wanderers heavily rely on Batesian mimicry for survival.[4]