Chrysoritis aureus

Heidelberg copper
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Chrysoritis
Species:	C. aureus
Binomial name
	Chrysoritis aureus; van Son, 1966
Synonyms
	Poecilmitis aureus (van Son, 1966); Chrysoritis aureus;

Chrysoritis aureus, the Heidelberg copper or golden opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round with peaks in December and March.^[2]

The larvae feed on Clutia pulchella varieties. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.

References

^ Henning, G.A. (2020). "Chrysoritis aureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17840A168307918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T17840A168307918.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.

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[iucn_status_16_November_2021-1] Henning, G.A. (2020). "Chrysoritis aureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17840A168307918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T17840A168307918.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

[2] Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.

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