White Pearl Emperor
Common NameWhite Pearl Emperor
Scientific NameCharaxes hildebrandti
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyCharaxinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorswhite, orange, brown, black
HabitatDry deciduous forests, woodlands, riverine forests
Geographic RangeEast Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia)
Host PlantsBrachystegia spiciformis, Julbernardia globiflora
Flight PeriodYear-round, with peaks during rainy seasons
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a spiky head capsule, camouflaged on leaves. Pupae are typically green and suspended by the cremaster.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive white basal area of the forewings and the central white patch on the hindwings, combined with the two short tails on the hindwings. Often found mud-puddling or feeding on fermenting fruit.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with striking white and orange-brown wings. The forewings are white basally, transitioning to orange-brown with dark spots towards the apex, while the hindwings are predominantly orange-brown with a central white patch and two short tails.
