Chrysoritis aureus

Heidelberg Copper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species: C. aureus
Binomial name
Chrysoritis aureus
van Son, 1966
Synonyms
  • Poecilmitis aureus (van Son, 1966)
  • Chrysoritis aureus

The Heidelberg Copper or Golden Opal (Chrysoritis aureus) is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane Grassland in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round with peaks in December and March.[1]

The larvae feed on Clutia pulchella species. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.

References

  1. Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.
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