What are the chances of seeing a Castalius melaena in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Castalius melaena sighting in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park on a given day, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 19th most-seen of the 44 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Castalius melaena in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
May
In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Castalius melaena in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park on a given day, against under 5% in July to February, the lowest months.
What time of day is best to see a Castalius melaena?
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Castalius melaena sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park the best place to see a Castalius melaena?
Yes
Of the 3 parks where we can rate Castalius melaena sightings, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Pilanesberg National Park (South Africa, about 10%) and Kruger National Park (South Africa, about 10%).
Which relatives of the Castalius melaena live in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
Same family: Lycaenidae
The closest relatives of the Castalius melaena that you can see in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (family Lycaenidae, Gossamer-winged Butterflies) are Leaden Hairtail (about 10%), Common Hairstreak (about 10%) and Axiocerses perion (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
Where does the Castalius melaena sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Castalius melaena is recorded against all the insects logged in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (10 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.