Blue monarch

Introduction: The Blue Monarch (Tirumala petiverana) is a high-flying forest species, also known as the Dappled Monarch. They frequent forest habitats.

Distribution: Kombat, Andara as wells as Katima Mulilo and other areas of the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) .

Colouration: White and black spotted wings.

Breeding/Larval food: Plants from the milkweed family. Feeds on flowers, damp sand and carnivore droppings.

On the wing: February to May.

Wingspan: Male: 55 to 60mm. Female: 65 to 70mm.