Aloeides molomo explained

Aloeides molomo, the molomo copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Africa.

Description

This species inhabits grassy areas with bare patches, such as grassy fynbos in the western and eastern cape, or highvield grasslands in other provinces.^[1]

The wingspan is for males and for females. Adults are on wing from August to December and from March to April. There are two generations per year.^[2] A. m. krooni specimens feature silver spots on the underside of its hindwing. ^[3]

Habitat and behavior

The males of Aloeidis exhibit territorial behavior, claiming specific areas on road verges and unsurfaced roads where they can counter females and mate.^[4] Females have a slower flight than males.

Life cycle

The female oviposits its eggs at the base of Gnidia plants.^[5]

The larvae of A. m. krooni feed on Sida ovata.

Subspecies

• A. m. molomo (Eastern Cape, Free State, eastern Northern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West)
• A. m. mumbuensis Riley, 1921 (Botswana, Zambia)
• A. m. kiellandi Carcasson, 1961 (south-western Tanzania: Mpanda)
• A. m. krooni Tite & Dickson, 1973 (northern Northern Cape to Namibia and Botswana)
• A. m. coalescens Tite & Dickson, 1973 (Zimbabwe)
• A. m. handmani Tite & Dickson, 1973 (Malawi)

Notes and References

1. Henning . G.A. . 1993 . Revisional notes on the genus Aloeides Hübner . Metamorphosis . The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa . 4 . 144-155.
2. Book: Woodhall, Steve . Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa . 2005 . Cape Town, South Africa . Struik . 978-1-86872-724-7 .
3. Gardiner . A. . 2004 . New species of Lepidochrysops Hedicke (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from north-western Zambia . Metamorphosis . The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa . 15 . 4.
4. Edge . David A. . 2005 . Life history and ecological observations on Aloeides pallida, undescribed subspecies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) . Metamorphosis . Journal of The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa . 16 . 4 . 110-115.
5. Heath . A. . Gardiner . A. . 2009 . Addendum to Heath et al., 2008: Oviposition behaviour and foodplant observations. . Metamorphosis . The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa . 20 . 1.