Lepidochrysops methymna

Lepidochrysops methymna, the monkey blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.

Lepidochrysops methymna
Figure 3
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Lycaenidae
Genus:
Lepidochrysops
Species:
L. methymna
Binomial name
Lepidochrysops methymna
(Trimen, 1862)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaena methymna Trimen, 1862
  • Neochrysops methymna
  • Lepidochrysops major Murray, 1956

The wingspan is 35–40 mm for males and 33–42 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to January, but it is most common in November and December.[2]

The larvae feed on Selago fruticosa, Selago serrata and Selago spuria. Third and later instar larvae feed on the brood of Camponotus maculatus ants.

Subspecies
  • Lepidochrysops methymna methymna (Cape Peninsula)
  • Lepidochrysops methymna dicksoni Tite, 1964 (Tygerberg Hills in the Western Cape)
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References
  1. Lepidochrysops at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  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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