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Colotis evagore antigone, the Sub-Saharan Small Orange Tip, is a butterfly subspecies of the Desert Orange Tip (Colotis evagore) found across dry, savanna regions of Africa, known for its orange wingtips, distinct from other Colotis species, and is of "Least Concern" globally, feeding on various flowering plants in its terrestrial, bushveld habitat.
Key Facts:
Classification: A subspecies (antigone) of the Colotis evagore species, belonging to the Pieridae family (whites and yellows).
Common Names: Often called the Sub-Saharan Small Orange Tip, Tiny Orange Tip, or Desert Orange Tip.
Appearance: Males generally have more prominent orange markings on their wings compared to females, though both sexes display these tips.
Habitat: Inhabits dry areas, savannas, and bushveld in Sub-Saharan Africa, including countries like Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa.
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Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on host plants, and uses nectar from flowers as an adult.
Behavior: Males patrol for females around larval host-plant trees, often favoring hilltops and rocky areas.
Conservation: Globally listed as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN, indicating it's widespread and not at immediate risk.
Synonyms: Historically known by many scientific names, including Anthocharis antigone.
In essence, C. evagore antigone is a common, widespread African butterfly characterized by its small size and distinctive orange wing patches, thriving in arid to semi-arid environments.
