- Chrysoritis aethon
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Chrysoritis aethon Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Lycaenidae Genus: Chrysoritis Species: C. aethon Binomial name Chrysoritis aethon
(Trimen, 1887)[1]Synonyms - Zeritis aethon Trimen, 1887
The Lydenburg Opal (Chrysoritis aethon) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from northern KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, along the Drakensberg escarpment to Mariepskop in the Limpopo Province.
The wingspan is 24-28 mm for males and 28-32 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to April, with peaks in November and February. There are several generations per year.[2]
The larvae feed on Rhus zeyheri and Diospyros species. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.
References
- ^ Chrysoritis, Site of Markku Savela
- ^ Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.
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