Fresna nyassae

Fresna nyassae, also known as the variegated Acraea skipper or variegated Acraea hopper, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found from Ghana and Kenya to South Africa.

Fresna nyassae
Fresna nyassae figure 8
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Fresna
Species:
F. nyassae
Binomial name
Fresna nyassae
(Hewitson, 1878)[1]
Synonyms
List
  • Hesperia nyassae Hewitson, 1878
  • Parnara nyassae f. ennuari Riley, 1921
  • Hesperia roncilgonis Plötz, 1882
  • Fresna nyassae f. plata Evans, 1937
  • Fresna nyassae f. joppa Evans, 1937

The wingspan is 34–38 mm for males and 39–42 mm for females.[2] The underside is pale purple or yellowish, with black spots. Adults are on wing year-round, but are commonest in spring and summer.

The larvae feed on Albizia species, Julbernardia globiflora and Paullinia pinnata. First instar larvae are bright scarlet with a black head. Later instars are whitish with a brown head. The final instar is smooth and white with a broken black dorsal stripe and a reddish-brown head with symmetrical orange markings.[3]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fresna nyassae.
Wikispecies has information related to Fresna nyassae.
  1. Fresna at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Hesperiinae


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