Phasis clavum, the Namaqua arrowhead, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa and Namibia.

Phasis clavum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Phasis
Species:
P. clavum
Binomial name
Phasis clavum
Murray, 1935[1]
Synonyms
  • Phasis thero var. clavum Murray, 1935

The wingspan is 29-39.5 mm for males and 35–44 mm females. Adults are on wing from September to November and sometimes January.[2]

The larvae feed on Rhus and Melianthus species. They are associated with ants of the genus Crematogaster.[3]

Subspecies

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  • Phasis clavum clavum (Namibia, South Africa: Western Cape through Namaqualand to the Northern Cape)
  • Phasis clavum erythema Quickelberge, 1980 (Roggeveld near Sutherland)

References

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  1. ^ Phasis at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. ^ "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Aphnaeini (part 4)". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-05.