Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Issoria hanningtoni

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Class
  
Insecta

Family
  
Nymphalidae

Rank
  
Species

Phylum
  
Arthropoda

Order
  
Lepidoptera

Genus
  
Issoria

Issoria hanningtoni

Similar
  
Issoria, Queen of Spain fritil, Argynnini, Heliconiinae, Argynnis

Issoria hanningtoni, the Hannington's fritillary, is a butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. It is found in Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania. The habitat consists of highland forests.

Contents

Description

The upperside of the wings is pale orange with strong blackish brown markings, the underside has silvery spots, common to many fritillaries.

Ecology

The caterpillars feed on Viola abyssinica.

Habitat

Hannington's fritillary can be found in montane forest above about 1,700 m.

Behaviour

Hannington's fritillary has a low down, fast and direct flight. It prefers open forest glades, where it is often not uncommon. The silver spots on the underside of the wings may be perceived by preditors as dew-drops on grass, mimicing the butterfly's favorite overnight resting place.

Subspecies

  • Issoria hanningtoni hanningtoni (northern Tanzania)
  • Issoria hanningtoni imatonga (Riley, 1932) (Sudan: south to the Imatong Mountains)
  • Issoria hanningtoni jeanneli Bernardi, 1968 (Kenya: highlands to Mount Elgon, Mount Kenya and Aberdares)
  • References

    Issoria hanningtoni Wikipedia