Chrysoritis nigricans explained

Chrysoritis nigricans, the dark opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa.

The wingspan is 22–33 mm for males and 23–38 mm for females. Flight period is multi-brooded from September to April, peaking October/November and March.^[1]

Larvae feed on Thesium species, Osteospermum polygaloides, and Zygophyllum species. They are associated with ants of the genus Crematogaster.

Subspecies

• Chrysoritis nigricans nigricans (South Africa: Western Cape province)
• Chrysoritis nigricans zwartbergae (Dickson, 1982) (South Africa: Western Cape province)
• Chrysoritis nigricans rubrescens Heath & Pringle, 2007 (South Africa: Western Cape province)

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 .