Chrysoritis natalensis

Chrysoritis natalensis, the Natal opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found from the Eastern Cape, along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal and inland to Zululand and the midlands.

Chrysoritis natalensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chrysoritis
Species:
C. natalensis
Binomial name
Chrysoritis natalensis
(van Son, 1966)[1]
Synonyms
  • Poecilmitis natalensis van Son, 1966

The wingspan is 24–30 mm for males and 28–34 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round with peaks in November and February.[2]

The larvae feed on Chrysanthemoides monilifera and Cotyledon orbiculata. They are associated with ants of the genus Crematogaster.

References

  1. Chrysoritis at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.


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