Lepidochrysops irvingi

Lepidochrysops irvingi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Lepidochrysops
Species:	L. irvingi
Binomial name
Lepidochrysops irvingi (Swanepoel, 1948)[1]
Synonyms
Cupido irvingi Swanepoel, 1948

Irving’s Blue (Lepidochrysops irvingi) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in South Africa, where it is restricted to montane grassland in Swaziland and Mpumalanga.

The wingspan is 32-36 mm for males and 33-38 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to November. There is one generation per year.^[2]

The larvae feed on Becium species, including Becium grandiflorum.

References

1. ^ Lepidochrysops, Site of Markku Savela
2. ^ Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.