Aloeides pierus

Aloeides pierus, the dull copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South Africa, where it is found in the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape, as well as the Free State.

"Dull copper" redirects here. For the other butterfly with this common name, see Paralucia pyrodiscus.

Aloeides pierus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Aloeides
Species:
A. pierus
Binomial name
Aloeides pierus
(Cramer, [1779])[2]
Synonyms
  • Papilio pierus Cramer, [1779]
  • Papilio euadrus Fabricius, 1787
  • Papilio suetonius Fabricius, 1793

The wingspan is 25–30 mm. Adults are on wing from September to April, with peaks in October and February. There are multiple generations per year.[3]

The larvae feed on Aspalathus species. They shelter in the nests of Lepisiota capensis ants during the day.

References
  1. Henning, G.A. 2020. Aloeides pierus (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T161282692A175062805. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T161282692A175062805.en. Downloaded on 08 August 2021.
  2. Aloeides at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  3. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.


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