Pearl Emperor / Charaxes

Afrikaans name: Pêrel-dubbelstert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Charaxes varanes

The Pearl Emperor is an attractive butterfly which occurs along the southern and eastern regions of South Africa.

It is normally found in coastal areas, along the edge of forests anf flat lands.

When sitting with its wings closed the Pearl Emperor is quite cryptically coloured. The upperside of the wings are a combination of white and golden-brown.

The Pearl Emperor can be found on the wing all year round, especially in warmer areas, but they are most common in late summer and autumn.

Some publications refer to the Pearl Emperor as the Pearl Charaxes.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Published: 0 - Page: 20

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 344

Whats That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 930

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 386

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 41

Ivor Migdolls Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 158

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 106

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 102

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 68

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 22

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Published: 2005 - Page: 36

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 47

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 80

African Wildlife - Vol 38 No 2 - Author: - Published: 1984 - Page: 68

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Published: 1982 - Page: 52

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 99

For more info: The Virtual Museum

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