Issoria smaragdifera explained

Issoria smaragdifera, the African queen fritillary, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.^[1] The habitat consists of montane grassland on the edges of montane forests.

Adults are on wing year round.

The larvae feed on Viola abyssinica.

Subspecies

• Issoria smaragdifera smaragdifera (highlands of Malawi, eastern Zambia, eastern Zimbabwe)
• Issoria smaragdifera reducta Carcasson, 1961 (southern highlands of Tanzania and possibly Zambia)

Notes and References

1. http://atbutterflies.com/downloads/nymphalidae_argynnini.doc Afrotropical Butterflies: Nymphalidae - Tribe Argynnini