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 | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Anthene |
| Species: | A. amarah
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| Binomial name | |
| Anthene amarah (Guérin-Méneville, 1847)[1]
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| Synonyms | |
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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
edit- ^ Anthene amarah at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
- ^ "Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Lycaenesthini". Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
External links
editWikimedia Commons has media related to Anthene amarah.
Wikispecies has information related to Anthene amarah.
| External videos | |
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| A short film on Anthene amarah at Medike, Soutpansberg Mts (South Africa, Transvaal) recorded in 2004. |