Leptomyrina lara, the Cape black-eye, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, in fynbos, Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo throughout the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape, the eastern parts of Free State, the mountains of Lesotho and Northern Cape.

Leptomyrina lara
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Leptomyrina
Species:
L. lara
Binomial name
Leptomyrina lara
(Linnaeus, 1764)[2]
Synonyms
  • Papilio lara Linnaeus, 1764
  • Gonatomyrina lara

The wingspan is 20–29 mm for males and 23–31 mm for females. Adults are on wing from August to April. There are several generations per year in summer and spring.[3]

The larvae feed on Kalanchoe lugardii, Crassula and Cotyledon plant species (including C. orbiculata).

References edit

  1. ^ Coetzer, A.J. (2020). "Leptomyrina lara". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T160524A161319172. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T160524A161319172.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Leptomyrina 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.