Metisella syrinx, the bamboo sylph or bamboes-walsertjie, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is a rare and highly localised species which is only known from South Africa in the eastern Cape, through southern Lesotho to the extreme south of KwaZulu-Natal. The habitat consists of rocky areas on the summits of mountains, in montane grassland.[3]
| Bamboo sylph | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Genus: | Metisella |
| Species: | M. syrinx
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| Binomial name | |
| Metisella syrinx | |
| Synonyms | |
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Distribution
editM. syrinx is endemic to the Eastern Cape in South Africa, from Gaika's Kop (near Hogsback), and near Bedford.[1]
Description
editThe wingspan is 32–34 mm for males and 32–37 mm for females. Adults are on wing from January to February. There is one generation per year.[4]
Ecology
editThe larvae feed on the sole bamboo species in South Africa and Lesotho, Bergbambos.
References
edit
- ^ a b Dobson, J.C.H.; Dobson, C.M. (2020). "Metisella syrinx". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T13274A168304455. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T13274A168304455.en. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Metisella at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ "Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Heteropterinae". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
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