Lepidochrysops methymna
Appearance
Lepidochrysops methymna | |
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Figure 3 | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Lepidochrysops |
Species: | L. methymna
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Binomial name | |
Lepidochrysops methymna | |
Synonyms | |
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Lepidochrysops methymna, the monkey blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.
The wingspan is 35–40 mm for males and 33–42 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to January, but it is most common in November and December.[2]
The larvae feed on Selago fruticosa, Selago serrata and Selago spuria. Third and later instar larvae feed on the brood of Camponotus maculatus ants.
Subspecies
[edit]- Lepidochrysops methymna methymna (Cape Peninsula)
- Lepidochrysops methymna dicksoni Tite, 1964 (Tygerberg Hills in the Western Cape)
References
[edit]- ^ Lepidochrysops at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- Media related to Lepidochrysops methymna at Wikimedia Commons