Queen Purple Tip
Common NameQueen Purple Tip
Scientific NameColotis regina
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyPierinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorswhite, purple, black
HabitatSavanna, open woodlands, riverine forests, forest edges
Geographic RangeSouthern Africa, East Africa (e.g., South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania)
Host PlantsCapparis tomentosa, Maerua cafra, Boscia albitrunca
Flight PeriodYear-round in warmer areas, peaks during rainy season
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are green with a yellow lateral stripe and feed on the leaves. Pupation occurs on the host plant or nearby vegetation.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its pure white wings and the striking iridescent purple forewing tip (especially in males) with a black border. Females may have a less intense purple or more extensive black.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with pure white wings, featuring a distinctive iridescent purple tip on the forewings, bordered by black.
