Dira swanepoeli


Dira swanepoeli, or Swanepoel's widow, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in the southern slopes of the Blouberg Range in Limpopo, South Africa.

Description

The wingspan is 58–65 mm for males and 60–68 mm for females. Adults are on wing from late February to early March. There is one generation per year.

Habitat and behavior

Adults are observed residing in rocky grasslands with stunted forest clearings, specifically in areas with long grass like Merxmullera.
The larvae feed on various Poaceae species, including Eragrostis aspera, Ehrharta erecta and Pennisetum clandestinum.

Subspecies

  • Dira swanepoeli swanepoeli
  • Dira swanepoeli isolata van Son, 1955