Anthene minima

Little hairtail
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species:
A. minima
Binomial name
Anthene minima
(Trimen, 1893)
Synonyms
  • Lycaenesthes minima Trimen, 1893

Anthene minima, the little hairtail, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa and Botswana. In South Africa, it is found in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.

Description

The wingspan is 18–22 mm (0.71–0.87 in) for males and 19–23 mm (0.75–0.91 in) for females. Adults are on wing from September to April.

Its nearest relative, Anthene lindae, is found approximately 400 km (250 mi) to the west, endemic to the Northern Cape, with a few occurences at Witsand in the Western Cape.

Habitat and behavior

The larvae likely feed on Acacia species.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Anthene 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.
  3. ^ Pringle, E.L.L.; Henning, G.A.; Ball, J.B. (1994). Pennington’s butterflies of southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Winchester. ISBN 9780947430467. OCLC 32270879.