Aeropetes tulbaghia is the largest satyrine (Brown) butterfly in southern Africa.
   It is one of the largest butterflies on Table Mountain.
   Its flight period begins in November and runs through to April, so look for them in the coming summer months. If you wear something red, one might land on you.
   The Mountain Beauty is found mainly in mountainous areas from the Cape Peninsula right up through the Drakensberg Mountains to the Nyanga Mountains in eastern Zimbabwe.
   It is a proudly South African resident that we should all know more about. It is an exquisite beautiful with blue eye spots on its nutty brown wings.
  They are not just a handsome butterfly, though.
They are, in fact, critical to the survival of one of the Western Cape’s most celebrated plant species, the Red Disa.
   The Red Disa is pollinated only by the Table Mountain Beauty. it is reliant on this single insect species for its survival.
   As this butterfly has a strong preference for the colors red, pink and orange, it is attracted to the striking Red Disa, enabling it to fulfil its critical pollination function.
   * As with all Brush Footed (Nymphalidae) family butterflies, the shorter pair of front legs is used for food tasting, while the two longer pairs of rear legs are used for propulsion.