Anthene contrastata

Anthene contrastata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species: A. contrastata'
Binomial name
Anthene contrastata
(Ungemach, 1932)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaenesthes contrastata Ungemach, 1932
  • Lycaenesthes otacilia mashuna Stevenson, 1937

The Mashuna Hairtail (Anthene contrastata) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in eastern Africa, from South Africa, north to Ethiopia and Arabia.

The wingspan is 19–23 mm for males and 21–24 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to June, with peaks in November and from March to April.[2]

The larvae probably feed on Acacia species, including Acacia karroo and Acacia tortilis.

Subspecies

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anthene contrastata.
Wikispecies has information related to: Anthene contrastata
  1. Anthene, Site of Markku Savela
  2. Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.