top of page
(Mylothris agathina)
Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Also known as the Common Dotted Border.
   Mylothris agathina are native to sub Saharan Africa, particularly East Africa and southern Africa
   They are most often found in savannas, forests, grasslands, open woodlands and bushvelds.
   They are often spotted in suburban gardens, especially in tree tops. They preferences are areas with abundant flowering plants.
   The slow flying adults are on wing year round, with peaks in October and from late February to April.
   The best time to find Mylothris agathina is in the morning or evening on a warm, sunny day, as these are their most active times. 
   They have bright white wings with shades of yellow, and black dots along the wing margins.
   They are an efficient pollinator and can often be seen flitting between the flowers of the Asteraceae and Brassicaceae families, attracted by the vibrant colors and attractive fragrances.
   As they ingest pollen, they also inadvertently  collect and deposit it, aiding in the reproduction of the plant.
   Males often mud puddle to take necessary nutrients.
   Predation is a threat primarily from birds, reptiles, and insects.
   
Caterpillar & chrysalis images
Eastern Dotted Border caterpillar
Eastern Dotted Border chrysalis
Eastern Dotted Border.png
Diet: caterpillars feed primarily on leaves of host plants within the family Fabaceae (legumes) such as Erianthemum dregei (commonly known as Hairy Mistletoe), and Osyris compressa (formerly Colpoon compressum) known as African Sandalwood.  .
Diet: adults take nectar as a food source from plants such as the Natal Blue Haze (Tetraselago natalensis), which is a nectar plant found in the threatened grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal. Adults mud puddle to gain necessary nutrients.
Avg. Body Length: 5 - 7 cm / 1.96 – 2.75 “
Avg. Wingsapan:  5 - 6.5 cm / 2 - 2.6 “. Females are slightly larger than males.
Family: Pieridae
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
butterfly-20clipart-2-butterflies.gif
bottom of page