Chrysoritis aureus

Heidelberg copper

Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Chrysoritis
Species:	C. aureus
Binomial name
*Chrysoritis aureus* van Son, 1966
Synonyms
Poecilmitis aureus (van Son, 1966) Chrysoritis aureus

Chrysoritis aureus, the Heidelberg copper or golden opal, is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round with peaks in December and March.^[1]

The larvae feed on Clutia pulchella varieties. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.

References

↑ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.

Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Poecilmitis aureus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 31 July 2007.

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