Anthene amarah

Anthene amarah
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species: A. amarah
Binomial name
Anthene amarah
(Guérin-Méneville, 1847)[1]
Synonyms
  • Polyommatus amarah Guérin-Méneville, 1847
  • Lampides olympusa Walker, 1870
  • Anthene amarah orphna Clench, 1965

The Black-striped Hairtail, Leaden Hairtail or Leaden Ciliate Blue (Anthene amarah) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in tropical Africa and Arabia (up to Aqaba). The habitat consists of savanna and occasionally open areas in the forest zone.

The wingspan is 21–26 mm for males and 23–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round, with a peak in summer.[2]

The larvae feed on Acacia species, including and Acacia karroo, Acacia sieberana and Acacia gerrardii. They are associated with a number of ants, including Crematogaster bequaerti var. saga, Lepisiota affinis, Camponotus and Myrmicaria species.[3]

References

  1. Anthene, Site of Markku Savela
  2. Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.
  3. Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Lycaenesthini

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anthene amarah.
Wikispecies has information related to: Anthene amarah
External video
A short film on Anthene amarah at Medike, Soutpansberg Mts (South Africa, Transvaal) recorded in 2004.