Lady's Maid

Vanessula milca

Lady's Maid, Vanessula milca, Kitale, Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

This butterfly was observed along a sunny trail near Kitale, Kenya, April 2013. The flowers belong to a vine in the Cucurbitaceae.

The common name I'd give this butterfly if it were up to me would be the "Orange Patch Butterfly". Lady's Maid is what I've found on the Internet. The latin name, Vanessula milca, seems a safe bet. Apparently there aren't any similar butterflies with which to confuse it.

Lady's Maid, Vanessula milca, Kitale, Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

When the butterfly is perched with its wings folded over the dorsum, the undersides of the wings are seen. Along a trail through Kakamega Forest, Kenya, Oct. 2016.

Nymphalidae -- Brush-footed Butterfly Family

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens. Page created 6 Sept. 2013,
updated 9 May 2017.