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.
Heidelberg copper | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Chrysoritis |
Species: | C. aureus |
Binomial name | |
Chrysoritis aureus van Son, 1966 | |
Synonyms | |
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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.[1]
The larvae feed on Clutia pulchella varieties. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.
References
- Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Poecilmitis aureus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 31 July 2007.
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