Lepidochrysops trimeni
Encyclopedia
Trimen’s Blue is a butterfly
of the Lycaenidae
family. It is found in South Africa
, where it is known from the West Cape.
The wingspan
is 37-40 mm for males and 35-42 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to January or February, with a peak depending on rainfall but usually from October to November. There is one extended generation per year.
The larvae feed on Selago
species (including Selago serrata) and Aspalathus sarcantha. Third and later instar larvae feed on the brood of Camponotus maculatus ants.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Lycaenidae
Lycaenidae
The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies...
family. It is found in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, where it is known from the West Cape.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is 37-40 mm for males and 35-42 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to January or February, with a peak depending on rainfall but usually from October to November. There is one extended generation per year.
The larvae feed on Selago
Selago
Selago is a genus of plant in family Scrophulariaceae. It contains the following species :* Selago lepida, Hilliard* Selago nachtigalii, Rolfe...
species (including Selago serrata) and Aspalathus sarcantha. Third and later instar larvae feed on the brood of Camponotus maculatus ants.