| Leptotes | |
|---|---|
| Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Tribe: | Polyommatini |
| Genus: | Leptotes Scudder, 1876 |
| Type species | |
| Lycaena theonus Lucas, 1857 |
|
| Diversity | |
| 24 species | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Langia Tutt, 1906 (non Moore, 1872: preoccupied) |
|
Leptotes is a butterfly genus in the family Lycaenidae. They are commonly known as zebra blues in reference to their zebra-striped undersides.
Several species have recently been moved here from the genus Tarucus, a rather close relative. An even closer relative, however, seems to be Cyclyrius.
Contents |
The genus can be divided in two distinct geographic groups which are possible clades, as well as one more isolated species:[1]
Afrotropical species:
Neotropical species:
Placement uncertain: