Blue Pansy

Afrikaans name: Blou-gesiggie

Photo © Steven Herbert

Junonia oenone oenone

The Blue Pansy is an attractive butterfly that reaches a wingspan of around 5 cm. The male and female have similar colouration but females are slightly bigger. In contrast to the beautiful colours on the top of the wings the underside is predominantly brown.

The Blue Pansy is only found in Africa which includes the islands off the coast of Africa. Over much of its range it is referred to as the Dark Blue Pansy as there is a species of butterfly found in Africa which is called the Blue Pansy.

This is a common butterfly in parks, gardens, along forest hedges and hilltops. The male Blue Pansy spends a lot of time chasing other butterflies that enter its space.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

African Insect Life - revised edition - Author: S.H. Skaife - Published: 1979 - Page: 233

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 76

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 73

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 48

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 72

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 37

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 136

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 142

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 382

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 56

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 398

Ivor Migdolls Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 172

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 348

Whats That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 885

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 248

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