Chrysoritis aureus

Chrysoritis aureus, the Heidelberg copper or golden opal, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in montane grassland in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

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

The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 28–32 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round with peaks in December and March.[2]

The larvae feed on Clutia pulchella varieties. They are attended to by Crematogaster liengmei ants.

References

  1. Henning, G.A. (2020). "Chrysoritis aureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17840A168307918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T17840A168307918.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.


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