A field guide to the butterflies of Africa

The clouded mother-of-pearlProtogoniomorpha anacardiiLinnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) – an updated record of butterfly for Saudi Arabia

“…Sometimes, this species is observed in gregarious individuals in Africa (10,21), which may indicate migration (21). This butterfly probably migrates to Saudi Arabia from time to time.…”

“…The photographed butterfly (Figure 2A-D) cannot be mistaken for other species from Arabia or Africa. It can be readily identified as P. anacardii due to the extensive black markings in the wing apex and margins (10,20), which appear to be a stable trait. The characteristics that appeared in the photographs (Figure 2A The clouded mother-of-pearl was believed to have been of a recent entry into Arabia (16).…”

“…However, the ecological parameters in the eastern Jazan mountains match those in the Yemeni habitats (22), where the butterfly thrives (see (2,16) for details about the habitats' descriptions). Sometimes, this species is observed in gregarious individuals in Africa (10,20), which may indicate migration (20). This butterfly probably migrates to Saudi Arabia from time to time.…”

“…In Africa, the clouded mother-of-pearl is reported to occupy forest margins, coastal areas and savannah woods (10) from sea level up to 2000 m, especially in areas dominated by the trees of Brachystegia Benth. (11).…”

“…1983), 24 butterflies of the Nymphalidae family were recorded in Saudi Arabia. This family is better characterised by the open cells in the hindwing (10) and the highly reduced forelegs compared to members of other families (9)(10)(11), which superficially look as if they possess only four legs. However, the absent native Arabian nymphalids from Saudi Arabia belong to the three genera of Neptis Fabricius, 1807, Phalanta Horsfield, 1829 and Protogoniomorpha Wallengren, 1857, recorded only in Yemen (9,12).…”