Tsomo River copper

(Redirected from Poecilmitis lyncurium)

The Tsomo River copper or Tsomo River opal (Chrysoritis lyncurium) is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found from the northern Eastern Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal.

Tsomo River copper
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. lyncurium
Binomial name
Chrysoritis lyncurium
(Trimen, 1868)
Synonyms
  • Zeritis lyncurium Trimen, 1868
  • Poecilmitis lyncurium

The wingspan is 21–24 mm for males and 23–26 mm for females. Adults are on wing from December to January.[2]

The larvae feed on Myrsine and Diospyros species. They are attended to by Crematogaster ants.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pringle, E.L. (2020). "Chrysoritis lyncurium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17842A168310857. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T17842A168310857.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.