Spotted velvet skipper

Introduction: Male Spotted Velvet Skippers (Abantis tettensis) can be observed flying around for ages with other species of butterfly on the tops of koppies. They perch on leaves or twigs with their wings held flat.

Distribution: Tsumeb, Grootfontein , Etosha National Park (Namutoni), Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) , Kaokoland , central and southern Namibia, Kalahari Desert .

Breeding/Larval food: The leaves of the velvet raisin bush (Grewia flava) which is widespread throughout Namibia less for the Namib Desert .

Colouration: Dark ground colours with lighter margins spots and patches on both fore and hind wings.

On the wing: Spring and midsummer months are the best times of year to observe this species.

Wingspan: Approx 40 to 45mm.