Chrysoritis pyroeis
| Sand-dune Opal | |
|---|---|
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| Set of C. p. hersaleki | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Chrysoritis |
| Species: | C. pyroeis |
| Binomial name | |
| Chrysoritis pyroeis (Trimen, 1864)[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Sand-dune Opal (Chrysoritis pyroeis) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in South Africa.
The wingspan is 22–31 mm for males and 25–38 mm for females. Adults are on wing from August to April, with peaks from September to October and in February. There are several generations per year.
The larvae feed on Zygophyllum flexuosum and Thesium species. They are attended to by Myrmicaria nigra ants.[2]
Subspecies
- Chrysoritis pyroeis pyroeis (West Cape, along the west coast to the North Cape and along the south coast to Stilbaai)
- Chrysoritis pyroeis hersaleki (Dickson, 1970) (fynbos in coastal hills near Port Elizabeth in the East Cape)
References
- ↑ Chrysoritis, Site of Markku Savela
- ↑ Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.
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