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Butterfly Basics: South Africa by Subfamily

Categories: Butterfly Lives
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About Course

South Africa is home to over 660 species of butterflies, each with its own story to tell. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what flitted past in the garden, or been fascinated by the dazzling colours of a butterfly on a hike, this course is for you.

Butterfly Lives is a short, accessible introduction to the butterflies of South Africa, organised by family and subfamily. Whether you’re a gardener, nature lover, hiker, photographer, or just butterfly-curious, this course will give you the knowledge to recognise the country’s most common (and most captivating) butterflies – and understand how they live, breed, and thrive.

What you’ll learn:

  • How to identify South African butterflies by their family and subfamily
  • Key features to look for in each group, including colour, size, and flight style
  • Fascinating facts about their life stages, from egg to adult
  • What plants and habitats attract them
  • How to tell the difference between butterflies that are often confused (like moths and skippers)

What’s included:

  • 23 engaging video lessons, organised into five categories, one for each butterfly family:
    • Nymphalidae (Brush-footed butterflies)
    • Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged butterflies)
    • Hesperiidae (Skippers)
    • Pieridae (Whites and Yellows)
    • Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
  • High-quality photographs of real South African butterflies
  • Clear, jargon-free explanations designed for beginners
  • Self-paced format – watch and rewatch whenever it suits you

Who this course is for:

  • Beginners who want a clear, simple introduction to local butterflies
  • Gardeners and nature-lovers looking to attract butterflies to their spaces
  • Hikers, photographers, or families wanting to connect with nature
  • Anyone curious about the secret lives of butterflies

Whether you want to impress your hiking group, teach your kids something new, or just learn for the love of it, this course is your perfect first step into the world of South African butterflies.

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What Will You Learn?

  • How to identify South African butterflies by their family and subfamily
  • Key features to look for in each group, including colour, size, and flight style
  • Fascinating facts about their life stages—from egg to adult
  • What plants and habitats attract them
  • How to tell the difference between butterflies that are often confused (like moths and skippers)

Course Content

Introducing: Butterfly Lives
There’s been a real surge of interest in butterflies, and their lesser-known but equally fascinating nocturnal cousins, moths. To help meet the growing appetite for knowledge, we’ve created a series of short courses called Butterfly Lives. Each course is designed as a self-contained introduction to one of South Africa’s five butterfly families. Inside, you’ll find clear, concise information focused on each family’s unique traits, right down to their early life stages. We’ve kept the jargon to a minimum, relied on real photos of South African species, and structured each course by subfamily so you can dive in without getting overwhelmed. Whether you’re just starting out or keen to deepen your understanding, these courses are a great way to get to grips with the colourful characters fluttering through our landscapes. We hope they’ll entertain you, inform you, and maybe even spark a lifelong fascination.

  • Butterfly Lives General Intro
    11:25
  • Butterfly Lives quiz

Nymphalidae – The Brush-Footed Butterflies
This course introduces the lively and often flamboyant Nymphalidae, with nine subfamilies to explore. These include some of South Africa’s most recognisable butterflies—like Pansies, Charaxes, Sailers and Foresters. Colourful, active, and full of surprises!

Lycaenidae – The Gossamer-Winged Butterflies
Meet the tiniest jewels in the butterfly world. This course covers the five subfamilies of Lycaenidae—think Opals, Blues, Skollies and Sapphires. Small they may be, but their life stories are anything but dull.

Pieridae – The Whites and Yellows
These are the butterflies that gave butterflies their name, thanks to their bright and familiar colours. This course covers the two subfamilies of Pieridae, including Whites, Tips, Arabs, Vagrants and Grass Yellows. A cheerful and accessible bunch.

Papilionidae – The Swallowtails
Big, bold and beautiful, this course introduces Africa’s single subfamily of Swallowtails. Learn more about the impressive Swordtails, Swallowtails, and the elegant Ladies that represent some of our most eye-catching species.

Hesperiidae – The Skippers
Quick and often mistaken for moths, the Hesperiidae are some of our fastest flyers. Get to know their four subfamilies, including Policemen, Paradise Skippers, Sandmen, Hoppers and Rangers. Once you spot them, you’ll wonder how you ever missed them!

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