Harpendyreus tsomo

Harpendyreus tsomo, the Tsomo blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is mainly found in Lesotho, but also in South Africa where it is known from high altitudes in the Orange Free State and the East Cape.

Harpendyreus tsomo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Lycaenidae
Genus:
Harpendyreus
Species:
H. tsomo
Binomial name
Harpendyreus tsomo
(Trimen, 1868)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaena tsomo Trimen, 1868

The wingspan is 17–22 mm for males and 18–23 mm for females. Adults are on wing from October to March, with a peak from November to December.[2]

The larvae feed on young leaves, flowers and seeds of Mentha species.

References
  1. Harpendyreus 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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