Eretis djaelaelae, commonly known as the marbled elf, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found from Somalia southwards to South Africa. The habitat consists of savanna woodland and sometimes also grassland.[2] Similar to Eretis umbra but has white forelegs.

Eretis djaelaelae
Kibale Forest, Uganda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Eretis
Species:
E. djaelaelae
Binomial name
Eretis djaelaelae
Synonyms
  • Pterygospidea djaelaelae Wallengren, 1857

The wingspan is 31–35 mm for males and 34–36 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, and it is more common in warmer areas. Peaks occur from September to March in southern Africa.[3]

The larvae feed on Phaulopsis imbricata, Chaetacanthus setiger, Dyschoriste and Justicia species (including Justicia protracta).

References

edit
  1. ^ Eretis at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ "Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Pyrginae". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.