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White spotted sapphire

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White spotted sapphire
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Iolaus
Species:
I. lulua
Binomial name
Iolaus lulua
(Riley, 1944)
Synonyms
  • Pseudiolaus poultoni lulua Riley, 1944

The white spotted sapphire (Iolaus lulua) is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is restricted to the forested coastal dunes of northern KwaZulu-Natal and sandy lowland forests from False Bay to Kosi Bay, inland to the Ndumu and Lebombo foothills. The habitat consists of coastal forests and thick bush.

The wingspan is 26–30 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing from October to December and in March. There are two generations per year.[2]

The larvae feed on Helixanthera woodii, Helixanthera kirkii and Oncocalyx bolusii.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gimenez Dixon, M. (1996). "Iolaus lulua". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T10843A3221767. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T10843A3221767.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  3. ^ Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Subtribe Iolaina