Because Queen Purple Tips
(Colotis regina) are relatively fast they are
not easily netted unawares unless they have settled on a flower. Males look for
females by flying around larval host-plants trees. Small koppies and hilltops
are favoured locations. One of Namibia's most widespread and common butterflies, the red tip, flutters
around the Fish River Canyon. The larvae of other species of tip such as Queen's
purple and Doubleday's orange use the leaves of caper bushes and shepherd's tree
to feed on. Kalahari orange tips are common from October to March.
Distribution: Etosha National Park ,
Epupa Falls,
Ruacana Falls, Kavango River region,
Caprivi Strip ,
Damaraland , central and northern
Namibia,
Kalahari Desert ,
Fish River Canyon.
Breeding/Larval food: Eggs are laid on caper-bushes
(Capparis spp)shepherd's tree
(Boscia albitrunca) leaves.
Colouration: Regina refers to its 'majestic' appearance.
Pinkish tinge underneath with the purple patch of the female is broken by a row
of black discal spots.
On the wing: Throughout the year.
Wingspan: Male and female: 55 to 60mm.
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