Anthene amarah

Anthene amarah, the black-striped hairtail, leaden hairtail or leaden ciliate blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in tropical Africa and Arabia (up to Aqaba). The habitat consists of savanna and occasionally open areas in the forest zone.

Black-striped hairtail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species:
A. amarah
Binomial name
Anthene amarah
Synonyms
  • Polyommatus amarah Guérin-Méneville, 1847
  • Lampides olympusa Walker, 1870
  • Anthene amarah orphna Clench, 1965

The wingspan is 21–26 mm for males and 23–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round, with a peak in summer.[2]

The larvae feed on Acacia species, including and Acacia karroo, Acacia sieberana, and Acacia gerrardii. They are associated with a number of ants, including Crematogaster bequaerti var. saga, Lepisiota affinis, Camponotus, and Myrmicaria species.[3]

References
  1. Anthene amarah 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. "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Lycaenesthini". Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
External video
A short film on Anthene amarah at Medike, Soutpansberg Mts (South Africa, Transvaal) recorded in 2004.


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