Anthene definita

Anthene definita
Anthene definita definita
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species: A. definita
Binomial name
Anthene definita
(Butler, 1899)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaenesthes definita Butler, 1899
  • Lycaenesthes nigrocaudata Pagenstecher, 1902
  • Lycaenesthes ligures var. liguroides Strand, 1911
  • Lycaenesthes fasciata Ungemach, 1932

The Common Ciliate Blue or Common Hairtail (Anthene definita) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in southern Africa.

The wingspan is 21–27 mm for males and 24–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas, with a peak in summer.[2]

The larvae feed on Allophylus africanus, Pappea capensis, Mangifera indica, Myrica aethiopica, Myrica sericea, Acacia karroo, Acacia cyanophylla, Acacia saligna, Paraserianthus lophanta, Schotia, Bersama and Kalanchoe species. The larvae are associated with ants of the Iridomyrmyx genus.[3]

Subspecies

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anthene definita.
Wikispecies has information related to: Anthene definita
  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