Vanessa abyssinica explained

Vanessa abyssinica, the Abyssinian admiral, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[1] The habitat consists of montane forests.

The larvae feed on Urtica massaica and Obetia pinnatifida.

This species was traditionally considered to be a member of the genus Antanartia but was recently found to be a member of the V. atalanta species group.^[2]

Subspecies

• Vanessa abyssinica abyssinica — Ethiopia
• Vanessa abyssinica jacksoni Howarth, 1966 — highlands of Kenya, northern Tanzania
• Vanessa abyssinica vansomereni Howarth, 1966 — western Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo: east to Kivu and Ituri

References

• Seitz, A. Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde 13: Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter. Plate XIII 52

Notes and References

1. http://atbutterflies.com/downloads/nymphalidae_nymphalini.doc Afrotropical Butterflies: Nymphalidae - Tribe Nymphalini
2. Wahlberg. Niklas. Rubinoff, Daniel. Vagility across Vanessa (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): mobility in butterfly species does not inhibit the formation and persistence of isolated sister taxa.. Systematic Entomology. 2011. 36. 2. 362–370. 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2010.00566.x. free. 2011SysEn..36..362W .