| Pointed copper | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Aloeides |
| Species: | A. apicalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloeides apicalis Tite & Dickson, 1968 [2] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Aloeides apicalis, the pointed copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from Western Cape and the Northern Cape.
The wingspan is 23–27 mm (0.91–1.06 in) for males and 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) females. Adults are on wing from September to May in several generations per year. [3]
The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate. [4]
The outer margin of forewing varies from straight to slightly convex, similar to Aloeides margaretae. However its hindwing is almost straight with the presence of basic pattern of discoidal fascia. [5]
The butterflies of this group inhabit grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in the western and eastern cape, or highvield grasslands in other provinces. [6]
Aloeides apicalis larvae are associated with Aspalathus host plants. [7]
The species is holometabolous.[ citation needed ]
The larvae follow a mutualistic relationship with the ant species Monomorium fridae . [8]
Aloeides, commonly called coppers, is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. Most can be found in South Africa, but a few species occur as far north as Kenya.
Aloeides rileyi, commonly known as Riley's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from Lesotho and the eastern part of the Free State.
Aloeides pallida, the giant copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa
Aloeides dryas, the Transvaal copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Africa, where it is known from northern KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini and Mpumalanga, and along the Drakensberg to the Wolkberg range in Limpopo province.
Aloeides titei, the Tite's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the northern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills to the hills of southern Mpumalanga.
Aloeides dicksoni, the Dickson's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Eastern Cape Drakensberg.
Aloeides caffrariae, the border copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from coastal grassland in the Eastern Cape.
Aloeides juana, the Juana copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Western Cape to Namaqualand and the Steinkopf area in the Northern Cape.
Aloeides margaretae, the Marguarite's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the western coast and along the south coast in the Western Cape.
Aloeides depicta, the depicta copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from fynbos and Nama Karoo along the mountains from Matjiesfontein to Gydo Mountain and the Eastern Cape.
Aloeides quickelbergei, the Quickelberge's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from mountain slopes in the southern Western Cape.
Aloeides gowani, the Gowan's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Western, Eastern and the Northern Cape.
Aloeides arida, the arid copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the northern Western Cape to Springbok and Steinkopf in the Northern Cape.
Aloeides aranda, the Aranda copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in the whole of South Africa, except in high montane forests and arid western areas. It is also found in Zimbabwe.
Aloeides almeida, the Almeida copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula and the main Cape Fold Mountains, north to Ceres and east along the mountain ranges to the Eastern Cape.
Aloeides trimeni, the Trimen's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found from coastal KwaZulu-Natal to the Drakensberg, north into Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Aloeides damarensis, the Damara copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found from coastal KwaZulu-Natal to the Drakensberg, north into Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
Aloeides molomo, the molomo copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Africa.
Aloeides taikosama, the dusky copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In South Africa it is found from the eastern Western Cape to the Eastern Cape, the Free State, northern KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the eastern Northern Cape.
Aloeides barklyi, the Barkly's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found in the Northern Cape, south to the Western Cape, the Cederberg and the Name Karoo at Matjiesfontein.
