Anthene kikuyu

Anthene kikuyu, the Kikuyu ciliate blue, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Mauritania, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, central and western Kenya and north-western Tanzania.[2] The habitat consists of dry savanna.

Anthene kikuyu
Scientific classification
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A. kikuyu
Binomial name
Anthene kikuyu
Synonyms
  • Lycaenesthes otacilia var. kikuyu Bethune-Baker, 1910
  • Anthene (Anthene) kikuyu

Adults of both sexes are often attracted to the flowers of Acacia species.

The larvae feed on the young terminal shoots of Acacia lahai, Acacia stenocarpa and Dichrostachys species. They are associated with ants of the genus Crematogaster. The larvae are very dark green and very hairy.

References

  1. Anthene at Markku Savela's website on Lepidoptera
  2. "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Lycaenesthini". Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2012-09-06.


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