Guineafowl butterfly

Afrikaans name: Tarentaaltjie

This Guineafowl is a butterfly and not a bird!

Photo © Steven Herbert

Hamanumida daedalus

If you are thinking that a Guineafowl is a large bird looking like a spotted chicken then you need to know that there is this butterfly that goes by the same name, and the spots give you a clue as to why.

The wingspan of this butterfly is around 6 cm.

The upperside of the wings is brownish with lots of white spots and other markings. The underside is more orange.

Photo © Steven Herbert

The Guinea Fowl is quite easy to observe as it rests on the ground for long periods with its wings open.

It is found in savanna and thornveld.

References and further reading

Whats That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 685

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 122

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 382

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 398

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 24

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 118

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 90

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 52

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Published: 1982 - Page: 48

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 97

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 79

For more info: The Virtual Museum

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