| Southern sapphire | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| Female and male | |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Iolaus |
| Species: | I. silas |
| Binomial name | |
| Iolaus silas (Westwood, ) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Iolaus silas, the southern sapphire, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae which is endemic to South Africa.
Range
It occurs from the southeastern Nama Karoo in the Eastern Cape (Somerset East and Bedford areas), and along the eastern littoral to northern KwaZulu-Natal. It is present in spekboomveld, coastal savannah and lowland forest.
Description and biology
The wingspan is 32–37 mm for males and 34–41 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas and from September to January in the southern part of its range. The larvae feed on various mistletoes, namely Moquiniella rubra, Erianthemum dregei and Loranthus usuiensis.
References
- Pringle, E.L. (2020) . "Iolaus silas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161342145A175074166. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161342145A175074166.en. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- Iolaus at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
External links
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Iolaus silas |
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