Tarucus thespis, the fynbos blue or vivid blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, from the Northern Cape, south to fynbos in the West Cape and east to the Amathole Mountains in the Eastern Cape.
Fynbos blue | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Tarucus |
Species: | T. thespis
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Binomial name | |
Tarucus thespis | |
Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 20–25 mm for males and 20–27 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with peaks from September to November and from February to March.[2]
The larvae feed on Phylica imberbis and Saxifraga species.
References
editWikimedia Commons has media related to Tarucus thespis.
Wikispecies has information related to Tarucus thespis.
- ^ Tarucus 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.