Common Bush Brown
Bicyclus safitza
Points
10
per confirmed sighting
Common Bush Brown.
Bicyclus safitza
Category
butterflies moths
Family
Nymphalidae
Size
Documented southern African specimens are about 40–48 mm in wingspan; Metamorphosis illustrates a 42 mm male and a 45 mm female wet-season form.
Points
10 pts
A closer look
Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding common bush brown in its natural range.
Overview
How to identify it
Habitat
Wooded and forest-associated habitats, especially shaded or well-vegetated sites and edges; habitat use can shift with season and locality.
Diet
Larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae); published life-history work on the species records grass hosts. Adults obtain carbohydrates from plant-derived food sources typical of bush-browns.
Behaviour
When to look
Adults occur through much of the year in suitable warm regions, with seasonal form and abundance strongly influenced by rainfall and humidity.
Where to see it
South AfricaSafety and etiquette
Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.
Verification and sources
1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.