Metisella meninx

Metisella meninx
Marsh Sylph
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Metisella
Species: M. meninx
Binomial name
Metisella meninx
(Trimen, 1873)[1]
Synonyms
  • Cyclopides meninx Trimen, 1873

The Marsh Sylph (Metisella meninx) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is endemic to the wet vleis of highland grassland in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the northern part of the Orange Free State and the extreme east of the North West Province. It has become extinct in many areas close to Johannesburg due to building developments.

The wingspan is 26–28 mm for males and 27–29 for females. Adults are on wing from December to March (with a peak from January to February). There is one extended generation per year.[2]

The larvae feed on Poaceae marsh grass species.

References

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