Aloeides dryas, the Transvaal copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Africa, where it is known from northern KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini and Mpumalanga, and along the Drakensberg to the Wolkberg range in Limpopo province.
| Transvaal copper | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Aloeides |
| Species: | A. dryas
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aloeides dryas Tite & Dickson, 1968[2]
| |
The wingspan is 26–31 mm for males and 28–34 mm females. There are several generations in the warmer months, with adults on wing from September to as late as June with peaks in November and February.[3]
The larvae feed on Lotononis species, a genus of legumes. They are associated with ants of the genus Lepisiota.
References
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aloeides dryas.
Wikispecies has information related to Aloeides dryas.
- ^ Henning, G.A. (2020) [amended version of 2020 assessment]. "Aloeides dryas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161280477A175061505. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161280477A175061505.en. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Aloeides at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.