Anthene kersteni

Anthene kersteni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species: A. kersteni
Binomial name
Anthene kersteni
(Gerstaecker, 1871)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaena kersteni Gerstaecker, 1871

Kersten's Hairtail or Kersten's Ciliate Blue (Anthene kersteni) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found from South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forest in KwaZulu-Natal, from the coast to Kosi Bay, inland across the Makathini Flats.

The wingspan is 26–28 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 kraussiana and Albizia adianthifolia.

References

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