Common
They are strong fliers and occasionally migrate in large numbers.
Catopsilia florella is the only African representative of its genus. It has a wide variety of colour variation from white through to yellow
Size: 55-65 mm. Large, powerful, small marks on the underside of the forewing margin; male bluish-white and the upperside of wing almost unmarked; female white or yellow.
The butterflies are sexually dimorphic - males are white, and females may be white or yellow.
Widespread. AOO = 95 km2. EOO = 460,000 km2. 11 locations
Widespread (throughout Africa and as migrants in Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean, probably extending to India on an irregular basis: Larsen, pers. comm.).
Gardens, parks, areas with flowers.
Not Assessed ( not resident in Egypt)
Two or more generations per year.
36 records. Latest in 2001 (South Sinai)
Migrant, no permanent populations in Egypt except perhaps in Gebel Elba (Larsen 1990)
January-October
Host-plants: mainly Cassia italica, with non-native Cassia spp and Albizzia lebbeck.
Catopsilia florella, the African migrant, African emigrant, or common vagrant, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It is found in Africa (including Madagascar), Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman) and the Canary Islands. Like Catopsilia pomona, this species also has a habit of migration.[3]
Many early authors mentioned the presence of this species in Asia;[4][5] but those were probably due to confusion arises as Catopsilia pyranthe females exhibit a lot of seasonal variations.[6] Catopsilia florella is not included as a species in India in any recent checklists.[7]
The wingspan is 54–60 mm for males and 56–66 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round. From South Africa, adults migrate from summer to autumn. They fly in a north-eastern direction.[8]
The larvae feed on Senna occidentalis, Senna septentrionalis, Senna petersiana, Senna italica, Cassia javanica, and Cassia fistula.[9]
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_mating_migrant_male_(l)_dry_season_female_(r).jpg)
mating migrant male (l) & dry season female (r), Gambia
Egg of African Emigrant from United Arab Emirates
Catopsilia florella from United Arab Emirates Catopsilia florella, the African migrant, African emigrant, or common vagrant, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It is found in Africa (including Madagascar), Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman) and the Canary Islands. Like Catopsilia pomona, this species also has a habit of migration.
Many early authors mentioned the presence of this species in Asia; but those were probably due to confusion arises as Catopsilia pyranthe females exhibit a lot of seasonal variations. Catopsilia florella is not included as a species in India in any recent checklists.
The wingspan is 54–60 mm for males and 56–66 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round. From South Africa, adults migrate from summer to autumn. They fly in a north-eastern direction.
The larvae feed on Senna occidentalis, Senna septentrionalis, Senna petersiana, Senna italica, Cassia javanica, and Cassia fistula.
