Widows

Genus Palpopleura Rambur, 1842

Distribution in Africa and surrounding Islands

• Five species occur in Africa, one in Madagascar and one in southern Asia.

General identification features

• Very from medium to fairly small (hindwing 15-29 mm) in size
• Short and broad abdomen with a characteristic pattern of three black and four yellow stripes, which becomes pruinose with maturity.
• Easily recognised by the fore wing costa that is wavy, concave halfway between base and node; waviness only weak in P. deceptor (Deceptive Widow)
• Occipital triangle small with rather concave borders, eyes touching over distance of at least half its length.
• Either Pt bicoloured (half white and half black)
• Wings have extensive dark markings (normally at least covering hind wing triangle or subcostal space of fore wing with dark streak), or both
• P. deceptor (deceptive Widow) named for its deceptive similarity to Hemistigma (Piedspots)
• The females of both are most like P. portia males, but can can be be separated at very close inspection

Habitat and behaviour:

• P. deceptor favours seasonal pools, P. jucunda grassy marsh.
• The tiny P. albifrons occurs very locally at small grassy pools and damp spots, often near forest
• Most species inhabit rivers and streams, where adults can be elusive and furtive, while larvae are easier to find.
• Perches mostly on rocks, tops of branches or grass stems

About Palpopleura species

• Click on image or species name to learn more

 Distribution

Credit

• Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014