| Damara copper | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Aloeides |
| Species: | A. damarensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloeides damarensis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Aloeides damarensis, the Damara copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae from South Africa.
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]
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]
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 dentatis, the Roodepoort copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Lesotho and South Africa.
Aloeides nollothi, the Nolloth's copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Namibia and the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
Axiocerses amanga, the bush scarlet, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Stugeta bowkeri, the Bowker's sapphire, Bowker's marbled sapphire or Bowker's tailed blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in most of southern Africa.
Aloeides pallida, the giant copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa
Aloeides simplex, the dune copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from sandy areas in the Kalahari and arid savannah, the red dunes from Kuruman, Hotazel and further west in the Northern Cape.
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 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 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.
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 oreas, the oreas copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Eastern Cape to the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, the Free State and mountain peaks in Mpumalanga near Wakkerstroom.
Aloeides henningi, the Henning's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found from the northern Eastern Cape to Lesotho, western KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng.
Aloeides pierus, the dull copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found in the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape, as well as the Free State.
Aloeides swanepoeli, the Swanepoel'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 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 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.
Eicochrysops messapus, the cupreous blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Africa. In South Africa it is rare and only known from the northern part of the Limpopo province and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Mylothris agathina, the eastern dotted border or common dotted border, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly East Africa and southern Africa. In South Africa its range has spread westwards around the coast in the late 20th century, and it now occurs north of Cape Town to somewhat beyond Saldanha.
