Giant Charaxes
Charaxes castor
This butterfly was observed along a wet road surface through South Nandi Forest, Kenya, April 2013. Unfortunately it had been crushed by a passing motor vehicle.
Many butterflies and moths rely on just one or a few related species of plants as food for their immature stage which is a larva (caterpillar). Charaxes instead are known to feed on a wide variety of unrelated plants. Adults are very strong fliers and can be difficut to capture either with a net or camera. The challenge together with their beautiful patterns has made them a favorite with Lepidopterists.
