| Damara copper | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Aloeides |
| Species: | A. damarensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloeides damarensis (Trimen, 1891) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Aloeides damarensis, the Damara copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae from South Africa.
Description
This butterfly populates grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in coastal KwaZulu-Natal to the Drakensberg, north into Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
The wingspan is 25–32 mm for males and 28–36 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to April in the southern part of the range and year-round in the north.
The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate.
A. damarensis show variable coloration and pattern, ranging from medium to light orange specimens with reduced upperside black markings.
Habitat and Behavior
The female lays eggs at the base of Waltheria indica. Along with being a host plant, it also serves as a nectar source for adults. Eggs are blue in color.
The larvae feed on Aspalathus species, and are tended by Pheidole ants, that build colonies at the base of host plant.
Subspecies
- Aloeides damarensis damarensis (Western, Northern and Eastern Cape and south-western Free State)
- Aloeides damarensis mashona Tite & Dickson, 1973 (from northern KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and North West provinces)
References
- Westrip, J.R.S. (2021). "Aloeides damarensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T162637964A162637993. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T162637964A162637993.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- Aloeides at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- Henning, G.A. (1993). "Revisional notes on the genus Aloeides Hübner". Metamorphosis. 4: 144–155.
- Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- Edge, David A. (2005). "Life history and ecological observations on Aloeides pallida, undesribed subspecies (Lepidoptera: Lycaedinae)" (PDF). Metamorphosis. 16 (4): 110–115.
- Terblanche, R.F.; Taylor, J.C. (2000). "Notes on the butterflies of Witsand – A unique terrestrial island in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa – With special reference to two Red Data Book butterfly species". Metamorphosis. 11 (3). The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa.
- ^ Heath, A.; Gardiner, A. (2009). "Addendum to Heath et al., 2008: Oviposition behaviour and foodplant observations" (PDF). Metamorphosis. 20 (1).
- Clark, G.C.; Dickson, C.G.C. (1971). Life Histories of the South African Lycaenid Butterflies. Cape Town: Purnell & Sons.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Aloeides damarensis | |
| Zeritis damarensis | |
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