Common evening brown

Introduction: Common Evening Browns (Melantis leda helena) are also known as twilight browns, a reference to their flying hours. Concealment in daylight amongst dead leaves and debris under trees and bushes is common, thick bush being a favoured habitat.

Distribution: The rainforests of northern Namibia.

Colouration: The upperside of the forewing sports a comma-shaped black eye-spot, surrounding 2 white spots. All 3 spots are enclosed with a buff-orange colour. There are 1 to 3 small black eye-spots, each with a white centre on the hindwing.

Breeding: In Greek mythology, Leda was the egg-laying mother of Castor and Pollux.

On the wing: Flies throughout the year often in ground level shady areas.

Wingspan: Male: 60 to 65mm. Female: 65 to 70mm.