Pearl Emperor / Charaxes
Afrikaans name: Pêrel-dubbelstert

Photo © Steven Herbert
Charaxes varanes
The Pearl Emperor is an attractive butterfly which occurs along the southern and eastern regions of South Africa.
It is normally found in coastal areas, along the edge of forests anf flat lands.
When sitting with its wings closed the Pearl Emperor is quite cryptically coloured. The upperside of the wings are a combination of white and golden-brown.
The Pearl Emperor can be found on the wing all year round, especially in warmer areas, but they are most common in late summer and autumn.
Some publications refer to the Pearl Emperor as the Pearl Charaxes.

Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 52Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 99
Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Year Published: 1978 - Page: 80
Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 36
Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 22
Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - Author: Steve Woodhall - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 102
Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 41
Ivor Migdoll's Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 158
Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Year Published: - Page: 20
What's That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 930