There is something truly magical about drowning in a flight of butterflies. If you live in Johannesburg, you know exactly what we are talking about. Millions of butterflies have invaded the city and surrounding areas. While we would prefer to think it is a miracle signaling the end of Januworry, and better things to come, it is in actual fact the annual migration of the Brown-Veined White Butterfly.
The migration starts in the dry areas of the Kalahari and the Karoo and the numbers are dependent on climatic conditions like drought and rain.
The tiny-winged creatures cross the Northern Cape, some of the Free State and move over the North West Province into Gauteng. They have also been seen in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Their destination is unknown but Mozambique seems to be the place they settle and fall into the sea.
During this migration process, they stop to lay eggs along the way, which is why they don’t need to fly back. Their eggs will hatch and thus continue the species.
Joburgers are enthralled with Nature’s show and can’t stop taking pictures and videos.
I was in awe…..these butterflies made my day magical. #Jozibutterflies @CityofJoburgZA pic.twitter.com/ZOZdVSG8mU
— #WattsUp (@clarencesdb) January 28, 2020
The sky is full of butterflies flying steadily this morning! The annual migration of the Brown-veined White Butterfly 🦋 Can you guess the LOCATION they are heading to? #butterflies #migration pic.twitter.com/ogfcTLJHZA
— Esri South Africa (@EsriSouthAfrica) January 28, 2020
It’s heartening to see multitudes of butterflies flying all over the Kempton Park CBD! #Butterflies #KemptonPark #Nature #ZA pic.twitter.com/JuZBge1VO4
— SPS CIVILS (@SPSCIVILS) January 28, 2020
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When you get home to the flurry of #butterflies you just heard about on the #news. #jozi #nature
