Aloeides aranda

Aranda copper
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Aloeides
Species:	A. aranda
Binomial name
Aloeides aranda (Wallengren, 1857) [2]
Synonyms
Cygaritis arandaWallengren, 1857 Zeritis marsTrimen, 1862 Aloeides zilkaGrose-Smith, 1900 Zeritis rougemontiOberthür, 1909 Phasis marshalliAurivillius, 1923 Aloeides aranda marshalli

A male in highveld grassland, Free State, South Africa

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.

The wingspan is 20–29 mm (0.79–1.14 in) for males and 27–31 mm (1.1–1.2 in) females. Adults are on wing from September to April in warm areas (with peaks in October and February) and in October and February in two generations in cooler areas. ^[3]

The larvae feed on Aspalathus species, a genus of legumes. They are attended to by Pheidole capensis ants.

References

1. Henning, G.A.; Westrip, J.R.S. (2020). "Aloeides aranda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T161275979A161275987. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T161275979A161275987.en . Retrieved 8 August 2021.
2. Aloeides at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
3. Woodhall, S. (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.