Anthene kersteni, the Kersten's hairtail or Kersten's ciliate blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found from South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forest in KwaZulu-Natal, from the coast to Kosi Bay, inland across the Makathini Flats.
| Anthene kersteni | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Anthene |
| Species: | A. kersteni
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| Binomial name | |
| Anthene kersteni (Gerstaecker, 1871)[2]
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| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 26–28 mm for males and 23–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with a peak in summer.[3]
The larvae feed on Acacia species, including and Acacia kraussiana and Albizia adianthifolia.
References
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Wikispecies has information related to Anthene kersteni.
- ^ Larsen, T.B. (2011). "Anthene kersteni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T160041A5351579. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T160041A5351579.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Anthene 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.