Erikssonia edgei
Encyclopedia
The Tilodi Copper or Waterberg Copper (Erikssonia edgei) is a butterfly
of the Lycaenidae
family. It is found in South Africa
where it is known only from the type locality, the north-facing base of a peak (Perdekop) on the edge of a wide flat valley in the Waterberg
Mountain Bushveld.
The forewing length is 12.3-16.8 mm for males and 16.1–19.1 mm for females. Adults are on wing from December to February. The species has a slow, fluttering flight. When disturbed adults dive into the grass.
It was found to be closely related to the Aloeides
Rough Coppers and like them, associated with ground nesting ants. The larvae were found to feed on Gnidia kraussiana. They sheltered in the ants' nests, where the pupae were formed. It is very likely that the butterfly's black-spotted orange markings are a sign of unpalatability and it may well form part of a mimicry ring with Telchinia serena
.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Lycaenidae
Lycaenidae
The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies...
family. It is found in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
where it is known only from the type locality, the north-facing base of a peak (Perdekop) on the edge of a wide flat valley in the Waterberg
Waterberg
Waterberg can refer to two articles about an area in Namibia:* Waterberg Biosphere* Waterberg National Park...
Mountain Bushveld.
The forewing length is 12.3-16.8 mm for males and 16.1–19.1 mm for females. Adults are on wing from December to February. The species has a slow, fluttering flight. When disturbed adults dive into the grass.
It was found to be closely related to the Aloeides
Aloeides
Aloeides, commonly called Coppers, is a genus of butterflies in the Lycaenidae family. Most can be found in South Africa , but a few species occur as far north as Kenya .-Species:Listed alphabetically within groups....
Rough Coppers and like them, associated with ground nesting ants. The larvae were found to feed on Gnidia kraussiana. They sheltered in the ants' nests, where the pupae were formed. It is very likely that the butterfly's black-spotted orange markings are a sign of unpalatability and it may well form part of a mimicry ring with Telchinia serena
Telchinia serena
The Dancing Acraea is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in South Africa, including the area near the Waterberg....
.