Aloeides apicalis explained

Aloeides apicalis, the pointed copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is known from Western Cape and the Northern Cape.

Description

The wingspan is for males and females. Adults are on wing from September to May in several generations per year.^[1]

The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate.^[2]

The outer margin of forewing varies from straight to slightly convex, similar to Aloeides margaretae. However its hindwing is almost straight with the presence of basic pattern of discoidal fascia.^[3]

Habitat and Behavior

The butterflies of this group inhabit grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in the western and eastern cape, or highvield grasslands in other provinces.^[4]

Aloeides apicalis larvae are associated with Aspalathus host plants.^[5]

Life cycle

The species is holometabolous.

The larvae follow a mutualistic relationship with the ant species Monomorium fridae.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Book: Woodhall, Steve . Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa . 2005 . Cape Town, South Africa . Struik . 978-1-86872-724-7 .
2. Edge . David A. . 2005 . Life history and ecological observations on Aloeides pallida, undesribed subspecies (Lepidoptera: Lycaedinae) . Metamorphosis . 16 . 4 . 110-115.
3. Heath . A. . Claassens . A. . 2020 . Illustrated descriptions of juvenile stages of an Aloeides species close to margaretae Tite & Dickson, including comparisons with both A. apicalis Tite & Dickson and A. depicta Tite & Dickson. . Metamorphosis . 31 . 1 . 72-78 . 10.4314/met.v31i1.14. free .
4. Henning . G.A. . 1993 . Revisional notes on the genus Aloeides Hübner. . Metamorphosis . 4 . 144-155.
5. Clark . G.C. . Dickson . C.G.C. . 1971 . Life histories of the South African lycaenid butterflies . (No title) . 272.
6. Heath . A. . Claassens . A. . 2020 . Illustrated descriptions of juvenile stages of an Aloeides species close to margaretae Tite & Dickson, including comparisons with both A. apicalis Tite & Dickson and A. depicta Tite & Dickson. . Metamorphosis . 31 . 1 . 72-78 . 10.4314/met.v31i1.14. free .