Language: English
The Euphaedra are surely to be counted amongst the most beautiful jewels of the dense African forests that they usually inhabit. They fly through the undergrowth between light and shade and only reveal their true colours in the few bright patches scattered here and there by the sunlight shining through the thick foliage. Few species of these large butterflies frequent open areas like the wooded savannahs or suburban gardens.
Currently, more than 200 species are identified along with many subspecies but the interest of the latter is sometimes only comparative. The principal species are illustrated in this summary: the others can be seen in the work of Jacques Hecq (1997) published by the "Union des Entomologistes Belges." New discoveries still take place every year.