Feltham's opal | |
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Set of C. f. dukei | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Chrysoritis |
Species: | C. felthami |
Binomial name | |
Chrysoritis felthami | |
Synonyms | |
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Chrysoritis felthami, the Feltham's opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa. It was originally described by Roland Trimen under the name Zeritis felthami. [2] This species was named in honour of Henry Louis Langley Feltham. [2]
The wingspan is 22–27 mm for males and 23–33 mm for females. Adults are on wing from August to April with peaks in October and February. There are several generations per year. [3]
The larvae feed on Zygophyllum flexuosum and Zygophyllum sessilifolium . They are attended to by Crematogaster peringueyi ants.
Roland Trimen FRS was a British-South African naturalist, best known for South African Butterflies (1887–89), a collaborative work with Colonel James Henry Bowker. He was among the first entomologists to investigate mimicry and polymorphism in butterflies and their restriction to females. He also collaborated with Charles Darwin to study the pollination of Disa orchids.
Chrysoritis, commonly called opals or coppers, is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae found mainly in southern Africa and particularly South Africa.
Chrysoritis adonis, the Adonis opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found on the northern slopes of the Gydoberg, the Skurweberg, the Baviaanskloofberg and the Waboomberg, as well as the Elandskloof near Seweweekspoort.
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 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.
Chrysoritis pyroeis, the sand-dune opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.
Chrysoritis chrysaor, the golden copper or burnished opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is widespread in the east.
Chrysoritis phosphor, the scarce scarlet or golden flash, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. The species was first described by Roland Trimen in 1866. It is found in South Africa.
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 turneri, the Turner's opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.
Chrysoritis palmus, the water opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.
Chrysoritis thysbe, the opal copper or common opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa.
Chrysoritis uranus, the Uranus opal, is a lycaenid butterfly that is found only in South Africa.
Chrysoritis beaufortius, the Beaufort opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.
Chrysoritis brooksi, the Brook's opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.
Chrysoritis braueri, the Brauer's opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.
Chrysoritis nigricans, the dark 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.
Lepidochrysops trimeni, the Trimen's blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Western Cape.