Common Mother-of-Pearl

Afrikaans name: Perlemoenskoenlapper

Photo © Steven Herbert

Protogoniomorpha parhassus / Salamis parhassus

This is a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 8 cm. Females sometimes grow to 9 cm. Apart from the slight size difference the sexes are similar.

In South Africa the Common Mother-of-pearl is found along the eastern regions of the country from East London through to Limpopo.

It is found in coastal and montane forests.

Although this butterfly may be seen all year round the population is highest in summer and autumn.

Above - The above photo of a Common Mother-of-Pearl butterfly was taken in my garden. They are not always around but when they are there their large size makes them very visible. A few days after taking the above photo I found a dead one and it is only when you have one in your hand can you truly appreciate the mother-of-pearl colours. Just take my word for it and don't go killing them!

References and further reading

Ivor Migdoll s Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 169

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 339

What s That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 1025

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 136

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 384

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 50

Insects of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Clarke H. Scholtz and Erik Holm - Published: 1989 - Page: 166

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 36

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 130

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 75

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 48

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 72

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 80

African Wildlife - International Edition - Vol 35 No 4 - Author: - Published: 1981 - Page: 7

For more info: The Virtual Museum

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