Lepidochrysops letsea, the Free State blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape, which is the eastern part of the Free State and Gauteng.

Lepidochrysops letsea
Figure 16
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Lepidochrysops
Species:
L. letsea
Binomial name
Lepidochrysops letsea
(Trimen, 1870)[2]
Synonyms
  • Lycaena letsea Trimen, 1870
  • Cupido letsea
  • Neochrysops letsea

The wingspan is 33–35 mm for males and 32–33 mm for females. Adults are on wing from October to January. There is one extended generation per year.[3]

The larvae feed on Hemizygia pretoriae.

References

edit
  1. ^ Williams, M.C. (2020) [amended version of 2020 assessment]. "Lepidochrysops letsea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161340059A175072978. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161340059A175072978.en. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  2. ^ Lepidochrysops at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.