Large Hairtail butterfly

Afrikaans name: Grootkortstertjie

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthene lemnos lemnos

The Large Hairtail butterfly has a wingspan approaching 3 cm. Male and female are similar in size.

The upperside of the male's wing is a dark purple with black margins. The females are more dull. As you can see from the photo the underside of the wing is cryptically coloured.

The Large Hairtail is normally found in vegetated areas where it likes to perch in the shade.

In South Africa they are mainly found in the coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal.

References and further reading

Whats That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 1441

Ivor Migdolls Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 197

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 260

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 246

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