Charaxes berkeleyi


Charaxes berkeleyi is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania.

Description

Similar, externally, to Charaxes aubyni but the genitalia are distinctive. Compared to Charaxes aubyni the male forewing has bluer marginal spots are and the underside is darker; in the female the forewing has two rows of pale yellow to ochreous spots and a white, blue-bordered median band which is narrower than in Charaxes aubyni There are two female forms: a common form with brownish underside and yellowish spots on the upperside and form ngonga which has a whitish median band on upperside and a silvery grey underside with strongly contrasted black markings.

Biology

The habitat consists of montane and riverine forests.
The larvae feed on Albizia gummifera, Scutia myrtina, Ochna holstii and Ochna insculpta.

Taxonomy

Charaxes berkeleyi is a member of the large species group Charaxes etheocles

Subspecies

  • Charaxes berkeleyi berkeleyi
  • Charaxes berkeleyi marci Congdon & Collins, 1998
  • Charaxes berkeleyi masaba van Someren, 1969