Chrysoritis azurius

Chrysoritis azurius, the azure opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known from the Northern Cape and Western Cape.

Azure opal

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. azurius
Binomial name
Chrysoritis azurius
(Swanepoel, 1975)
Synonyms
  • Poecilmitis azurius Swanepoel, 1975

The wingspan is 32–36 mm for males and 35–40 mm for females. Adults are on wing from October to December. There is one extended generation per year.[2]

The associated ant is unknown, but is suspected to be a Crematogaster species.[3]

References

  1. Selb, E.T. 2020. Chrysoritis azurius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T17845A161340683. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T17845A161340683.en. Downloaded on 09 June 2020.
  2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Aphnaeini (part 2)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-15. Retrieved 2012-06-28.


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