Page 16 - SAFFER 05

SOUTH AFRICAN

BUTTERFLIES

Our esteemed editor requested a butterfly article for Editor’s Note: Yep, apart from the fact that Dries knows
this edition of SAFFER Worldwide and we were happy I’m a butterfly nut, he also knows I am easy to please…
to oblige. South Africa is home to over 660 different when it comes to butterflies! I have often mentioned
species of butterflies, almost 20% of the total recorded when I comment on the de Wets Wild blog that Dries
on the African continent. Some of them are on the wing most likely sees more butterflies in one day then I could
throughout the year, while others appear as adults for see in a season here in Ireland – so, I promise… we are
only a short few weeks annually. From the Cape’s fynbos indeed blessed to share their happiness contribution!
to the Lowveld’s savannas every corner of the country
hosts rare butterflies unique to the area due to them Do visit the blog here – https://dewetswild.com/ - you
having very specific habitat requirements, while several won’t only see the little ones… you’ll see the Big Five
more wide-spread and numerous species, less discerning and many other interesting South African habitats!
in their environmental demands, are regularly seen in
gardens and wild places throughout the country.

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