Aloeides merces

Wakkerstroom 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. merces
Binomial name
Aloeides merces Henning & Henning, 1986

Aloeides merces, the Wakkerstroom copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known from sour montane grassveld in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 26–30 mm females. Adults are on wing from October to November. There is one generation per year. ^[2]

References

1. Henning, G.A. (2020). "Aloeides merces". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T888A175056046. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T888A175056046.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN   978-1-86872-724-7.