Cacyreus virilis, the eastern bush blue, mocker bronze or mocker blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found from South Africa to Zimbabwe, through central and eastern Africa to south-western Arabia.

Cacyreus virilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Cacyreus
Species:
C. virilis
Binomial name
Cacyreus virilis
Synonyms
  • Cupido lingeus ab. virilis Aurivillius, 1925

The wingspan is 24–26 mm for males and 24–27 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with a peak from November to February.[2]

The larvae feed on the flowers of various Lamiaceae species, including Coleus, Salvia, Calamintha and Lavandula species.

References edit

  1. ^ Cacyreus 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.