Chrysoritis oreas

Species of butterfly

Drakensberg copper
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. oreas
Binomial name
Chrysoritis oreas
(Trimen, 1891)
Synonyms
  • Zeritis oreas Trimen, 1891

Chrysoritis oreas, the Drakensberg copper or Drakensberg daisy copper, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills.

The wingspan is 21–23 mm for males and 22–24 mm for females. Adults are on wing from late September to mid-November. There is one generation per year.[2]

The larvae feed on Thesium species. They are attended to by Myrmicaria nigra ants.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysoritis oreas.
Wikispecies has information related to Chrysoritis oreas.
  1. ^ Armstrong, A.J. (2020). "Chrysoritis oreas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T4826A168302228. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T4826A168302228.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
Taxon identifiers
Chrysoritis oreas
Zeritis oreas


  • v
  • t
  • e