14th edition (2015).

Genus Lycaena Fabricius, 1807

In: Illiger, K., Magazin für Insektenkunde 6: 285 (277-289). Type-species: Papilio phlaeas Linnaeus, by subsequent designation (Curtis, 1824. British Entomology 1: pl. 12 ([ii] pp.). London.).

= Lycia Sodovskii, 1837. Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou 1837 (6): 81 ([76]-[99]). [Unnecessary] replacement name for Lycaena Fabricius.

= Migonitis Sodovskii, 1837. Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou 1837 (6): 82 ([76]-[99]). [Unnecessary] replacement name for Lycaena Fabricius.

= Rumicia Tutt, 1906. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 18: 131 (129-132). Type-species: Lycaena phlaeas Linnaeus, by original designation. Invalid; junior objective synonym of Lycaena Fabricius, 1807.

A largely Palaearctic and Nearctic genus of 46 species, with weak extension into the Afrotropical Region. There are three species in the Afrotropical Region, one of which extends into the Region from the Palaearctic. There are also species of the genus in New Zealand.

Relevant literature: De Jong & Van Dorp, 2006 [Notes on Afrotropical species and the Palaearctic connection].

*Lycaena clarki Dickson, 1971# Eastern Sorrel Copper

Male Eastern Sorrel Copper (Lycaena clarki) Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

Lycaena clarki Dickson. In: Clark & Dickson, 1971. Life histories of the South African lycaenid butterflies: 7 (272 pp.). Cape Town. Lycaena clarki Dickson, 1971. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Lycaena clarki Dickson, 1971. Pringle et al., 1994: 228. Lycaena clarki Clark & Dickson, 1971. d’Abrera, 2009: 786. [authorship erroneous]

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Lycaena clarki. Male (Wingspan 25 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Hogsback, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. 7 December 2006. J. Dobson. Images courtesy Jeremy and Chris Dobson.

Lycaena clarki. Female (Wingspan 26 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Golden Gate Highlands N.P., Free State Province, South Africa. 12 January 2006. J. Dobson. Images courtesy Jeremy and Chris Dobson.

Type locality: South Africa: “Eastern Cape Province, Steynsberg”. Diagnosis: Distinguished from Lycaena orus by the light rings which enclose the dark spots on the underside of the hindwing (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: South Africa (Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province), Lesotho. Specific localities: Free State Province – Sasolburg; Ladybrand (Pringle, et al., 1994). Eastern Cape Province – Steynsburg (TL). Western Cape Province – Hex River Pass (White). Habitat: Mainly in marshy areas and along stream banks, in grassland. Also occurs in the Karoo biome (Pringle et al., 1994). Habits: The flight is weak and specimens seldom move far from their water-loving larval host-plant (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but commonest in summer (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Murray, 1935 [as Heodes orus].

Clark & Dickson, 1971: 104 [as Lycaena clarki sp. nov.; locality not noted]. “Egg. 0.6 mm diam. x 0.25 mm high. Laid singly on stalks. Whitish to pale dull yellow with irregular, flat, white netting-ribbing. Eggs hatch after 10-12 days. The discarded shells are not eaten. Larva. 1st instar 1 mm, growing to 2 mm in 4 days; 2nd instar growing to 3 mm in 4 days; 3rd instar growing to 5 mm in 4 days; 4th instar growing to 8 mm in 5 days; 5 th instar growing to 15.5 mm in 7 days. There are neither tubercles nor honey- gland. Larvae feed on the surfaces of the leaves, leaving brown scores. Later they feed on the edges of the leaves, their bodies fitting into the portion eaten out and the larvae thus rendering themselves inconspicuous. The colour varies considerably, from plain green to pinkish red – but in either form with a white subspiracular stripe and a dorsal line of a darker colour-shade. There are also numerous intermediate shades of colouring. The food- plant frequently grows in water, sometimes becoming sbmerged, but the larvae are able to survive such submersion. No ants are in attendance. There is a succession of broods, but also a hibernating period, both in the egg and pupal state, when conditions call for this – judging by personal observations. Pupa. 10-10.5 mm.

2 Attached to a stem or to dead leaves by the cremastral hooks and a girdle. The duration of the pupal period is about 12 days, but this may be considerably longer in the winter.”

Larval food: Rumex lanceolatus Thunb. (syn. ecklonianus Meisn.) (Polygonaceae) [Clark & Dickson, 1971: 104].

*Lycaena orus (Stoll, 1780)# Western Sorrel Copper

Papilio orus Stoll, 1780. In: Stoll, 1780-82. Die Uitlandsche Kapellen voorkomende in de drie waerrelddeelen Asia, Africa en America 4 [part]: 84 (29-252). Amsteldam & Utrecht. Chrysophanus orus Cramer. Trimen, 1866a. [misattribution of authorship] Chrysophanus orus (Cramer, 1782). Trimen & Bowker, 1887b. [misattribution of authorship] Lycaena orus Cramer. Swanepoel, 1953a. [incorrect author] Lycaena orus (Stoll, 1780). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Lycaena orus (Stoll, 1780). Pringle et al., 1994: 228. Lycaena orus Cramer, 1780. d’Abrera, 2009: 786. [misattribution of authorship]

Lycaena orus. Male (Wingspan 22 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Tygerberg, Western Cape Province, South Africa. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Lycaena orus. Female (Wingspan 25 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Tygerberg, Western Cape Province, South Africa. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Cap de Bonne Espérance”. Distribution: South Africa (Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province). Specific localities: Eastern Cape Province – Suuranysberge near Joubertina (Pringle et al., 1994). Western Cape Province – Llandudno (Pringle et al., 1994); Camps Bay (Pringle et al., 1994); Tygerberg (Pringle et al., 1994); Dassenberg (Pringle et al., 1994); Simonsberg (Pringle et al., 1994). Habitat: Fynbos. Occurs at various altitudes, from sea-level to montane localities (Pringle et al., 1994). Habits: Flies close to the ground, alighting on low vegetation, rocks or on the ground (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but scarce in winter at higher altitudes (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: 3

Clark & Dickson, 1952: 34 [as Heodes orus].

Clark & Dickson, 1971: 101 [as Lycaena orus; Hottentots Huisie, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape]. “Egg. 0.6 mm diam. x 0.3 mm high. Laid singly but sometimes in close proximity to other eggs, among young leaves and flowers. Eggs are white with a flat ribbing on a flat surface. The roughly hexagonal pattern is composed of two reversed sets of ribbing, 10 in each set, emanating from the micropyle in involute-like curves. Eggs hatch after some 12 days but may be earlier or later. The discarded shell is not eaten. Larva. 1st instar 1 mm, growing to 2.25 mm in 4 days; 2 nd instar growing to 3.5 mm in 4 days; 3 rd instar growing to 6 mm in 4 days; 4th instar growing to 12-13 mm in 6 days. There are neither honey-gland nor tubercles. Larvae feed on the edge of the leaf, occupying the portion eaten out, the dorsal line of the larva resembling the actual edge of the leaf. The general colour matches the leaf or stalk where larvae are feeding. Some larvae are plain green, others have a pink or salmon dorsal stripe, while in others a whitish subspiracular stripe is added, sometimes with pinkish salmon above and below – and other larvae are dull pink with or without faint or dark red dorsal and subspiracular stripes. The small golden brown setae are interspaced with very small white globe-like setae. As the food-plant may be near water, larvae are often immersed but seem to be able to withstand lengthy periods of immersion. Ants are consequently not seen in attendance. Pupa. Male 7 mm; female 7.5 mm. Attached to a stem by the cremastral hooks and a girdle. The portion behind the head and the thorax is heavily coated with very small wineglass-like setae, and the body is sparsely coated with these setae. The wing-cases are devoid of setae. The imago emerges after some 12 days, longer in the winter; and with possible partial hibernation, at times.”

Larval food: Polygonum undulatum (L.) P.J.Bergius (Polygonaceae) [Clark & Dickson, 1952: 35]. (Probably) Rumex lanceolatus Thunb. (Polygonaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 228].

arcas Fabricius, 1787 (as sp. of Papilio). Mantissa Insectorum 2: 80 (382 pp.). Hafniae. [South Africa]: “Cap. Bon. Spei”.

*Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1760) Small Sorrel Copper

Papilio phlaeas Linnaeus, 1760. Fauna Svecica, sistens Animalia Sveciae regni.... distributa per classes etc.: 285 (578 pp.). Stockholm. Lycaena phlaeas Linnaeus, 1761. d’Abrera, 2009: 786. [date of authorship erroneous]

Alternative common name: Small Copper. Type locality: Sweden: “Sveciae”. Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Asia, Japan, North America, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates (Feulner, 2002), and sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia. Habitat: Montane habitats. Above 1 800 m in altitude, in Kenya (Larsen, 1991c). In Tanzania subspecies abbottii occurs at altitudes from 1 300 to almost 3 000 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Colonies are found mainly on wet ground, where the larval foodplant grows. The flight is fast and close to the ground. Males are territorial. There are records of migratory activity from the Hararge region of Ethiopia (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages:

Doring, 1955.

Kielland, 1990d: 201. Young larvae feed on flowering heads before moving to leaves.

Larval food: Polygonum species (Polygonaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 213]. Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. (Polygonaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 331]. Rumex bequaertii De Wild. (Polygonaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 331; as Rumex nipalensis]. Relevant literature: Habel et al., 2010 [Genetic cohesiveness between north African and Italian populations].

4 Kandori et al., 2009 [Learning rates cf other species and between sexes].

Lycaena phlaeas abbottii (Holland, 1892)

Chrysophanus abbottii Holland, 1892. Entomologist Suppl. 25: 90 (89-95). Lycaena abboti (Holland, 1892). Kielland, 1990d. [misspelling of species name] Lycaena phlaeas abbottii (Holland, 1892). Larsen, 1991c: 213. Lycaena phlaeas abbotti Holland, 1892. d’Abrera, 2009: 786.

Lycaena phlaeas abbottii. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 26mm. Njoro, Nakuru, 7200', Kenya. 26/5/69. J.G. Williams. (Henning collection – H346).

Type locality: “Eastern Africa”. Distribution: Kenya (highlands), Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia. Specific localities: Kenya – High spots on both sides of the Rift Valley (Larsen, 1991c); Nairobi (Larsen, 1991c); Teita Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Chyulu Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Mount Sagala (Larsen, 1991c); Njoro, Nakuru (male illustrated above). Tanzania – Northern Highlands (Kielland, 1990d); Nguu Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Nguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Rubeho Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Uzungwa Range (Kielland, 1990d); Njombe Mountain (Kielland, 1990d); Rungwe Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Tukuyu (Kielland, 1990d); Mbeya (Kielland, 1990d); Ufipa (Kielland, 1990d); Kamwala Forest in the North Pare Mountains at 1750 m (Cordeiro, 1995). Malawi – Mt Zomba (Congdon et al., 2010). Zambia – Mbala (Heath et al., 2002); Nyika (Heath et al., 2002).

Lycaena phlaeas ethiopica (Poulton, 1922)

Heodes ethiopica Poulton, 1922. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 86 (81-86). Lycaena phlaeas ethiopica Poulton, 1922. d’Abrera, 2009: 786.

Type locality: Uganda: “6000 ft., in the extreme S.W. of Uganda; high country near Lake Kivu and between it and the northern end of Tanganyika”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (mountains of North Kivu), Uganda (south-west), Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Near Lake Kivu (TL); Ruwenzori Mountains, Kigezi district. Tanzania – Ngara District at 1 400 m (Kielland, 1990d).

5 Lycaena phlaeas pseudophlaeas (Lucas, 1866)

Chrysophanus pseudophlaeas Lucas, 1866. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (4) 5: 499 (499-500). Lycaena phlaeas pseudophlaeas Lucas, 1866. d’Abrera, 2009: 786.

Type locality: Ethiopia: “Abyssinie”. Distribution: Ethiopia (highlands).

menelicki Thierry-Mieg, 1910 (as var. of Chrysophanus phlaeas). Naturaliste 32: 167 (167). [Ethiopia]: “Abyssinie”.

Lycaena phlaeas shima Gabriel, 1954

Lycaena shima Gabriel, 1954. British Museum (Natural History) expedition to south-west Arabia 1937-8 1: 388 (351-391). Lycaena phlaeas shima Gabriel, 1953. d’Abrera, 2009: 786.

Type locality: Yemen: “Jebel Masnab, s.w. of Ma’bar, c. 8400 ft.”. Distribution: Saudi Arabia (highlands), Yemen (highlands), United Arab Emirates (Feulner, 2002). Specific localities: Yemen – Jebel Masnab (TL).

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