Anthene kersteni, the Kersten's hairtail or Kersten's ciliate blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found from South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forest in KwaZulu-Natal, from the coast to Kosi Bay, inland across the Makathini Flats.

Anthene kersteni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species:
A. kersteni
Binomial name
Anthene kersteni
Synonyms
  • Lycaena kersteni Gerstaecker, 1871

The wingspan is 26–28 mm for males and 23–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with a peak in summer.[3]

The larvae feed on Acacia species, including and Acacia kraussiana and Albizia adianthifolia.

References

edit
  1. ^ Larsen, T.B. (2011). "Anthene kersteni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T160041A5351579. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T160041A5351579.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Anthene 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.