Aeropetes Tulbaghia

Tattered from the summer wind, an Aeropetes Tulbaghia butterfly came to rest on Graham's hand. While closed, the butterfly appeared monochrome, but when it opened its wings, we could see why it is called the (Table) Mountain Beauty.

The Aeropetes Tulbaghia seeks out red flowers and is the sole known pollinator of the Red Disa. Other butterflies of similar size and activity cycle, prefer going to white and blue flowers.

Having only one kind of pollinator ensures that the Disa does not waste pollen collected by the “wrong” pollinators – the pollen will go to another Red Disa.

The Aeropetes tulbaghia is fortunately fairly abundant, if they were to get extinct, there would be no more Red Disa in our mountains, and then what would Western Province Rugby do?

In Afrikaans die pragtige naam, Bergnooientjie.