Anthene kersteni

Anthene kersteni
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Anthene
Species:	A. kersteni
Binomial name
Anthene kersteni (Gerstaecker, 1871) [2]
Synonyms
Lycaena kersteniGerstaecker, 1871

Anthene kersteni, the Kersten's hairtail or Kersten's ciliate blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found from South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forest in KwaZulu-Natal, from the coast to Kosi Bay, inland across the Makathini Flats.

The wingspan is 26–28 mm for males and 23–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with a peak in summer. ^[3]

The larvae feed on Acacia species, including and Acacia kraussiana and Albizia adianthifolia .

References

1. Larsen, T.B. (2011). "Anthene kersteni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011 e.T160041A5351579. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T160041A5351579.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
2. Anthene at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
3. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN   978-1-86872-724-7.