Lepidochrysops tantalus, the king blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found in South Africa.
| Lepidochrysops tantalus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Lepidochrysops |
| Species: | L. tantalus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lepidochrysops tantalus | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editIt is local to the Drakensberg foothills in the Eastern Cape to the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, Eswatini, then along the escarpment hills to Mpumalanga and Gauteng. It is also found in Limpopo.
The wingspan is 30–38 mm for males and 34–40 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to November. There is one generation per year.[2]
Despite sharing a common habitat with L. lotana, it can be differentiated by being darker and smaller. It also shows an erratic and unstable flight pattern compared to L.lotana.[3]
Habitat and behavior
editThe larvae are associated with Becium grandiflorum.[3]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lepidochrysops tantalus.
Wikispecies has information related to Lepidochrysops tantalus.
- ^ Lepidochrysops at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- ^ a b Williams, M. C. (2009). "Twi specials in two weekends- rediscovering Lepidochrysops lotana and Dingana fraterna". Metamorphosis. 20 (1). The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa: 11–14.