Iolaus mimosae

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Iolaus mimosae
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Iolaus
Species:
I. mimosae
Binomial name
Iolaus mimosae
Trimen, 1874 [1]
Synonyms
  • Epamera berberaBethune-Baker, 1924
  • Epamera mimosae septentrionalisStempffer, 1948
  • Epamera tajoraca haemusTalbot, 1935
  • Epamera mimosae pamelaeDickson, 1976
  • Epamera mimosae rhodosenseStempffer & Bennett, 1959

Iolaus mimosae, the mimosa sapphire, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Africa. The habitat consists of Karoo and savanna.

The wingspan is 26–31 mm for males and 30–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to March with a peak from October to November. There are one or more generations per year. [2]

The larvae feed on Actinanthella wyliei , Agelanthus natalitius , Moquinella rubra , Oncocalyx fischeri , Plicosepalus curviflorus , Plicosepalus kalachariensis and Tapinanthus dichrous . [3]

Subspecies

References

  1. Iolaus at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN   978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Subtribe Iolaina". Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2012-08-29.