| Aloeides pierus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Aloeides |
| Species: | A. pierus |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloeides pierus | |
| Synonyms | |
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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.
This butterfly species inhabits grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in the western and eastern cape, or highvield grasslands in other provinces. [3]
The wingspan is 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in). Adults are on wing from September to April, with peaks in October and February. There are multiple generations per year. There are 12 veins on forewing, while hindwing lacks tail. [4] [5]
The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate. [6]
Chinitinous spicules are present at the distal end of tibia in a f-f-a configuration, with a well-developed spur at the lower extremities. Males have a sharp foretarsal claw. A. pierus feature long palpi, a robust thorax, and a mesofur almost twice the length of tibia. Females lack dense tuft of specialized scales on their abdomen. [5]
The genitalia are very similar among species of this genus, and not very useful when distinguishing. The uncus is in the form of a narrow strip, overlaying the large tegumen, with its distal edge slightly convex when flattened, while the subunci are short and exhibit bulging at their bases. The tegumen extends proximally to the eighth abdominal segment. There adeagus is short with slight dorsal swelling, curving slightly downwards. It features some lateral fine spines on its external region. There are oblong valves containing broad, rounded finger-like apices. The juxta is triangular, notched medially and the saccus is small and rounded. [5]
The Dorsal Nectary Organ (DNO) develops in larvae later stages, mostly the third and subsequent instars. [7]
The larvae feed on Aspalathus species. They shelter in the nests of Lepisiota capensis ants during the day.
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 rossouwi, the Rossouw's copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in Mpumalanga south of the Stoffberg.
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 braueri, the Brauer's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from highland hillsides covered in sour grassveld in the Eastern Cape.
Aloeides bamptoni, the Bampton's copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
