Aloeides damarensis

Damara copper
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Aloeides
Species:	A. damarensis
Binomial name
Aloeides damarensis (Trimen, 1891) [2]
Synonyms
Zeritis damarensisTrimen, 1891

Aloeides damarensis, the Damara copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae from Southern Africa.

Description

This butterfly populates grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in coastal KwaZulu-Natal to the Drakensberg, north into Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. ^[3]

The wingspan is 25–32 mm for males and 28–36 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to April in the southern part of the range and year-round in the north. ^[4]

The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate. ^[5]

A. damarensis show variable coloration and pattern, ranging from medium to light orange specimens with reduced upperside black markings. ^[6]

Habitat and Behavior

The female lays eggs at the base of Waltheria indica. Along with being a host plant, it also serves as a nectar source for adults. Eggs are blue in color. ^[7]

The larvae feed on Aspalathus species, and are tended by Pheidole ants, that build colonies at the base of host plant. ^{[8] [7]}

Subspecies

Dorsal and ventral side of wings

• Aloeides damarensis damarensis South Africa (Western, Northern and Eastern Cape and south-western Free State), Namibia.
• Aloeides damarensis mashonaTite & Dickson, 1973 — South Africa (northern KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and North West provinces), Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique.

References

1. Westrip, J.R.S. (2021). "Aloeides damarensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T162637964A162637993. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T162637964A162637993.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
2. Aloeides at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
3. Henning, G.A. (1993). "Revisional notes on the genus Aloeides Hübner". Metamorphosis. 4: 144–155.
4. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN   978-1-86872-724-7.
5. Edge, David A. (2005). "Life history and ecological observations on Aloeides pallida, undesribed subspecies (Lepidoptera: Lycaedinae)" (PDF). Metamorphosis. 16 (4): 110–115.
6. Terblanche, R.F.; Taylor, J.C. (2000). "Notes on the butterflies of Witsand – A unique terrestrial island in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa – With special reference to two Red Data Book butterfly species". Metamorphosis. 11 (3). The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa.
7. Heath, A.; Gardiner, A. (2009). "Addendum to Heath et al., 2008: Oviposition behaviour and foodplant observations" (PDF). Metamorphosis. 20 (1).
8. Clark, G.C.; Dickson, C.G.C. (1971). Life Histories of the South African Lycaenid Butterflies. Cape Town: Purnell & Sons.