Paralethe Explained

Paralethe is a monotypic butterfly genus in the family Nymphalidae. Its one species Paralethe dendrophilus, the bush beauty or forest pride is found in South Africa.^[1]

The wingspan is 45–60 mm for males and 48–70 mm for females. Adults are on wing from late December to May. There is one generation per year.^[2]

The larvae feed on various Poaceae species, including Ehrharta erecta and Panicum deustrum.

Subspecies

• Paralethe dendrophilus dendrophilus (eastern Cape)
• Paralethe dendrophilus albina van Son, 1955 (eastern Cape (Pondoland), Natal)
• Paralethe dendrophilus indosa (Trimen, 1879) (coast of KwaZulu-Natal and Zululand)
• Paralethe dendrophilus junodi (van Son, 1935) (Transvaal)

Notes and References

1. http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/satyrinae/paralethe/index.html Paralethe
2. Book: Woodhall, Steve . Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa . 2005 . Cape Town, South Africa . Struik . 978-1-86872-724-7 .