Summer (blue) and winter (red/orange) color morphs of the southern gaudy commodore butterfly, Precis octavia spp. sesamus, native to Africa

Gaudy Commodore | ©Lourens Grobler  (Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga, South Africa)

Precis octavia (Nymphalidae), the Gaudy commodore, is an African butterfly with two recognized subspecies. The southern subspecies of the gaudy commodore, Precis octavia sesamus, displays a seasonal variation in it’s wing patterning. Individuals emerging as adults in the warm summer appear different to those emerging in the cooler winters of the South African zone. 

What makes the species particularly interesting is the extreme difference between the two seasonal forms displayed. The extreme seasonal variation of the gaudy commodore has not been investigated, and so the process that maintains this variation is a mystery.

The winter form of Precis octavia sesamus (pictured), is slightly larger, and has wings predominantly blue to blue-purple with a line of post-discal orange patches on both wings. Forewing apexes are black with one or two small white spots. The summer form has wings with a vivid red color on both upper and undersides.