Jump to content

Thestor rileyi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thestor rileyi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Thestor
Species:
T. rileyi
Binomial name
Thestor rileyi
Pennington, 1956[2]

Thestor rileyi, the Riley's skolly, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Western Cape, from the Helderberg and Paarl mountains to the Kouebokkeveldberg, Piketberg and Paardeberg mountain ranges.

The wingspan is 24–36 mm for males and 32.5–41 mm for females. Adults are on wing from late November to early January with a peak in December. There is one generation per year.[3]

Larvae have been found in the nests of the pugnacious ant (Anoplolepis custodiens), but the larval food is unknown.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Coetzer, B.H. (2020) [amended version of 2020 assessment]. "Thestor rileyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161321969A175065758. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161321969A175065758.en. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. ^ Thestor at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.