Dira clytus, the Cape autumn widow, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in South Africa.
 The wingspan is 45–55 mm. Adults of ssp. clytus are on wing from late February to April and of ssp. eurina from late February to late March. There is one generation per year.
 The larvae feed on various Poaceae species, including Ehrharta erecta, Pennisetum clandestinum, Stipa dregeana, Panicum deustrum, Stenotaphrum glabrum and Stenotaphrum secundatum.

harmful

bite

Dira clytus are considered tree pests because they have a habit of boring into the wood of trees, causing damage to the tree's structure and potentially leading to its decline or death.

tree pest

Dira clytus can be considered garden pests because they have the potential to infest and damage ornamental trees and shrubs commonly found in gardens, compromising their health and aesthetic appeal.

garden pest

Dira clytus can be considered crop pests because they have the ability to infest and damage certain crops, such as fruit trees or timber crops, by boring into the wood and compromising the overall health and productivity of the plants.

crop pest

Dira clytus are considered pests because they have a destructive habit of boring into trees, causing damage to their structure and potentially leading to decline or death, making them a threat to both natural and cultivated tree populations.

google-play-not-available-title

How long does a cape autumn widow live?

More questions