Fresna nyassae

Fresna nyassae, the variegated Acraea skipper or variegated Acraea hopper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found from Ghana and Kenya to South Africa.

Fresna nyassae
Fresna nyassae figure 8
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Hesperiidae
Genus:
Fresna
Species:
F. nyassae
Binomial name
Fresna nyassae
(Hewitson, 1878)[1]
Synonyms
  • Hesperia nyassae Hewitson, 1878
  • Parnara nyassae f. ennuari Riley, 1921
  • Hesperia roncilgonis Plötz, 1882
  • Fresna nyassae f. plata Evans, 1937
  • Fresna nyassae f. joppa Evans, 1937

The wingspan is 34–38 mm for males and 39–42 mm for females.[2] The underside is pale purple or yellowish, with black spots. Adults are on wing year-round, but are commonest in spring and summer.

The larvae feed on Albizia species, Julbernardia globiflora and Paullinia pinnata. First instar larvae are bright scarlet with a black head. Later instars are whitish with a brown head. The final instar is smooth and white with a broken black dorsal stripe and a reddish-brown head with symmetrical orange markings.[3]

References
  1. Fresna at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Hesperiinae


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