Cacyreus marshalli

Provence, France, August 2004

Provence, France, August 2004

Geranium Bronze
Cacyreus marshalli

Distribution: South Africa. Arrived in Europe in the early 1990s and has spread around the S European coasts from Portugal to Italy. In France it extends to Lyon where it is common throughout the city, at least in 2006. Almost certain to extend further east and possibly north - records from the southern slopes of the Alps indicate it may establish itself in Valais, Switzerland and similarly from Lyon perhaps moving into Geneve. Recorded from further north, as far as S England. Probably importations with the larval foodplant account for these records. Also recorded from Morocco, around the city of Tarroudant.

Identification: Distinctive. The underside markings are quite unlike any other European butterfly - brown ground colour with white blotches and lines. Strongly chequered fringes and a long tail on the hindwing.

Flight time: All year, given warm conditions. I've found in May in S France and commonly in October in S Spain and Lyon, France. Larval food plant wild and cultivated Pelargonium.

Habitat: Dry grassy places and urban gardens.

Behaviour: Rarely opens its wings when taking nectar, but will show its uppersides when basking in sunshine, usually on leaves or grasses.

Additional notes: Presumed to have arrived from South Africa on imported Pelargonium plants. Frequently found around habitations.

Provence, France, August 2004

Provence, France, August 2004

Gibraltar, October 2006

Andalusia, Spain, October 2005

Provence, France, September 2003

Provence, France, August 2001

On potted plant (the larval food plant) in a town centre window box.

Provence, France, September 2003