Lepidochrysops ortygia

Lepidochrysops ortygia, the koppie blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, from the hills in the Eastern Cape, north through the lower parts of Lesotho to the Free State, southern Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

Koppie blue
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Lepidochrysops
Species:
L. ortygia
Binomial name
Lepidochrysops ortygia
(Trimen, 1887)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaena ortygia Trimen, 1887

The wingspan is 35–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in) for males and 33–42 mm (1.3–1.7 in) for females. Adults are on wing from October to April, with peaks in December or March depending on rains. There are possibly multiple generations per year.[2]

The larvae feed on Selago geniculata.

References

edit
  1. ^ Lepidochrysops 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.