21-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN BROAD BORDERED GRASS YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Eurema brigitta ssp. brigitta)

The Broad-bordered Grass Yellow is a very common butterfly in grassland and savanna habitats, occurring over all of South Africa with the exception of most of the Western and Northern Cape provinces. They’re also widely distributed over the rest of Africa, the islands in the India Ocean, India, south-east Asia, and  Australia. Adults can be seen throughout the year, flying low to the ground, perching on flowers and blades of grass and often congregating at muddy puddles. At rest they’ll often hang below small plants, looking like dead leaves moving in the breeze. Adults have a wingspan of around 3.5cm. 

7-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN BROAD BORDERED GRASS YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Eurema brigitta ssp. brigitta)

Eurema brigitta brigitta, the Small Grass Yellow, is a widespread, small yellow butterfly (Pieridae family) in Asia, Africa, and Australia, known for its seasonal forms, feeding caterpillars on Chamaecrista & Hypericum plants, and preferring grasslands, with seasonal changes affecting its black wing borders and overall paler colors in dry seasons. 

Key Facts:

Names: Small Grass Yellow, Broad-bordered Grass Yellow, No-brand Grass-yellow.

Size: Small, with a 30-36 mm wingspan.

Appearance: Yellow with black borders on wings; colors & markings change seasonally (duller, paler in dry season).

Habitat: Grasslands, farmlands, clearings, & along tracks.

Food (Larvae): Chamaecrista species (like C. mimosoides) and Hypericum plants.

Range: Found across India, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

Behavior: Flies slowly near the ground, often settling among grass; doesn't typically open wings when resting.