Chrysoritis aethon

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Chrysoritis aethon
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. aethon
Binomial name
Chrysoritis aethon
(Trimen, 1887) [2]
Synonyms
  • Zeritis aethonTrimen, 1887
  • Poecilimitis aethon

Chrysoritis aethon, the Lydenburg opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from northern KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, along the Drakensberg escarpment to Mariepskop in Limpopo.

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to April, with peaks in November and February. There are several generations per year. [3]

The larvae feed on Rhus zeyheri and Diospyros species. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.

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<i>Chrysoritis oreas</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis oreas, the Drakensberg copper or Drakensberg daisy copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills.

Dickson's copper or Dickson's strandveld copper is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is only known inland from Witsand in a single spot in fynbos. Previously, it was also found north of Cape Town. It is sometimes separated in the monotypic genus Oxychaeta.

<i>Chrysoritis aureus</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis aureus, the Heidelberg copper or golden opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

<i>Chrysoritis azurius</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis azurius, the azure opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known from the Northern Cape and Western Cape.

Chrysoritis daphne, the Daphne's opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found on the southern slopes of the Kammanassie Mountains in the Western Cape.

Chrysoritis endymion, the Endymion opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa.

Chrysoritis irene, the Irene's opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in fynbos on the Du Toit's Kloof mountains and Rivieronderendberge in the Western Cape.

Chrysoritis orientalis, the eastern opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found on the southern Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal.

<i>Chrysoritis pan</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis pan, the Pan opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in the Western Cape, the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.

Chrysoritis penningtoni, the Pennington's opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found on the high slopes of the Amatolas in the Eastern Cape.

<i>Chrysoritis rileyi</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis rileyi, the Riley's opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known only from hill slopes and river flats at the east end of the Brandvlei Dam in the Western Cape.

Chrysoritis trimeni, the Trimen's opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in the Northern Cape.

<i>Chrysoritis lycegenes</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis lycegenes, the Mooi River opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from northern KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, along the Drakensberg escarpment to Mariepskop in Limpopo province.

Chrysoritis natalensis, the Natal opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found from the Eastern Cape, along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal and inland to Zululand and the midlands.

Chrysoritis aridus, the Namaqua opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found in Succulent Karoo in the Northern Cape.

Chrysoritis blencathrae, the Waaihoek opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the peaks of the Waaihoek and Sybasberg in the Western Cape.

Chrysoritis pelion, the Machacha opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa. Terblanche and van Hamburg state "due to their intricate life histories and the unique wing patterns and colouring the butterflies of the genus Chrysoritis are of significant conservation and aesthetic value".

Chrysoritis braueri, the Brauer's opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.

Chrysoritis perseus, the Perseus opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.

<i>Chrysoritis plutus</i> Species of butterfly

Chrysoritis plutus, the Plutus opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.

References

  1. Cockburn, K.N.A. (2020) [amended version of 2020 assessment]. "Chrysoritis aethon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T161341605A175073547. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161341605A175073547.en . Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  2. Chrysoritis 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.

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