Spotted velvet skipper
Introduction: Male Spotted Velvet Skippers
(Abantis tettensis) can be observed flying around for ages with other
species of butterfly on the tops of koppies. They perch on leaves or twigs with
their wings held flat.
Distribution: Tsumeb,
Grootfontein , Etosha National Park (Namutoni), Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) , Kaokoland , central
and southern Namibia, Kalahari Desert .
Breeding/Larval food: The
leaves of the velvet raisin bush (Grewia flava) which is widespread
throughout Namibia less for the Namib Desert .
Colouration: Dark ground
colours with lighter margins spots and patches on both fore and hind wings.
On the wing: Spring and
midsummer months are the best times of year to observe this species.
Wingspan:
Approx 40 to 45mm.
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