Chrysoritis blencathrae

Chrysoritis blencathrae, the Waaihoek opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the peaks of the Waaihoek and Sybasberg in the Western Cape.

Chrysoritis blencathrae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. blencathrae
Binomial name
Chrysoritis blencathrae
(Heath & Ball, 1992)[2]
Synonyms
  • Poecilmitis blencathrae Heath & Ball, 1992

The wingspan is 26–36 mm for males and 30–37 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to April, with peaks in October and February (for C. b. turneri) and December (for C. b. amatola).[3]

The larvae feed on Dimorphotheca venusta. They are attended by Crematogaster ants.

References edit

  1. ^ Rautenbach, F. (2020). "Chrysoritis blencathrae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161337239A168306501. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T161337239A168306501.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Chrysoritis at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.