Orange-banded Protea
Capys alpheus
Points
10
per confirmed sighting
Orange-banded Protea.
Capys alpheus
Category
butterflies moths
Family
Lycaenidae
Size
Southern African profile material places wingspan broadly around 31–47 mm; a documented male is 36 mm and female 40 mm.
Points
10 pts
A closer look
Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding orange-banded protea in its natural range.
Overview
How to identify it
Habitat
Temperate grassland and the Nama Karoo and Fynbos biomes, closely associated with stands of Protea host plants.
Diet
Larvae develop in immature flower/seed structures of Protea species; documented hosts include Protea roupelliae and Protea subvestita, with additional Protea hosts reported. Adults are occasional flower visitors.
Behaviour
When to look
Flight periods vary geographically and by subspecies; southern populations are mainly seasonal in spring and, in some areas, again in late summer to autumn.
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.