The Tsomo River copper or Tsomo River opal (Chrysoritis lyncurium) is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found from the northern Eastern Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal.
| Tsomo River copper | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Chrysoritis |
| Species: | C. lyncurium
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| Binomial name | |
| Chrysoritis lyncurium (Trimen, 1868)
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| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 21–24 mm for males and 23–26 mm for females. Adults are on wing from December to January.[2]
The larvae feed on Myrsine and Diospyros species. They are attended to by Crematogaster ants.
See also
editReferences
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysoritis lyncurium.
- ^ Pringle, E.L. (2020). "Chrysoritis lyncurium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17842A168310857. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T17842A168310857.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.