Lepidochrysops hypopolia
Encyclopedia
Lepidochrysops hypopolia, known as Morant's Blue , was a species of butterfly
in the Lycaenidae
family. It was endemic to South Africa
. The species is only known from two complete male specimens, and one partial male specimen (a leg). The species is named after Walter Moran, who caught the two complete male specimens.
The complete specimens were both caught in Blue Bank, near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
on 21st September 1870 by Moran. The partial specimen was discovered by Thomas Ayres near Potchefstroom, North West Province (South Africa) in 1879.
This species was listed as Extinct in S. F. Henning & G. A. Henning (1989) and G. A. Henning and S. F. Henning (1992b).
Morant's complete specimens are on display at Natural History Museum
, London
. Ayres' partial specimen is on display in the South African Museum, Cape Town
.
Highland Thornveld (Sub-Escarpment Grassland Bioregion) and Carletonville Dolomite Grassland (Dry Highvield Grassland Bioregion) in the Grassland Biome Unit. Exact localities are unknown.
Reports of a single putative female specimen, supposedly collected by C. W. Morrison near Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal
are unconfirmed.
.
It has been speculated that the three known specimens were possibly chemically bleached examples of Lepidochrysops praeterita. If this is the case, then the two taxa are conspecific. However, the upper surfaces are not bleached, and the outer margins of the forewings of the male specimens are more convex than in Lepidochrysops praeterita.
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...
in 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 was endemic to 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...
. The species is only known from two complete male specimens, and one partial male specimen (a leg). The species is named after Walter Moran, who caught the two complete male specimens.
The complete specimens were both caught in Blue Bank, near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
Ladysmith is a city in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is north-west of Durban and south of Johannesburg. Important industries in the area include food processing, textile and tyre production...
on 21st September 1870 by Moran. The partial specimen was discovered by Thomas Ayres near Potchefstroom, North West Province (South Africa) in 1879.
This species was listed as Extinct in S. F. Henning & G. A. Henning (1989) and G. A. Henning and S. F. Henning (1992b).
Morant's complete specimens are on display at Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Ayres' partial specimen is on display in the South African Museum, Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
Habitat
Proposed habitats for this species are KwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
Highland Thornveld (Sub-Escarpment Grassland Bioregion) and Carletonville Dolomite Grassland (Dry Highvield Grassland Bioregion) in the Grassland Biome Unit. Exact localities are unknown.
Reports of a single putative female specimen, supposedly collected by C. W. Morrison near Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
are unconfirmed.
Rationale
There have been no verified specimens since 1879. The undersurfaces of the complete specimens are lighter and more hoary than the closely related (probable sister species) Lepidochrysops praeteritaLepidochrysops praeterita
The Highveld Blue is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in South Africa, from Potchefstroom in the North West Province to Walkerville in Gauteng and Sasolburg in the Orange Free State....
.
It has been speculated that the three known specimens were possibly chemically bleached examples of Lepidochrysops praeterita. If this is the case, then the two taxa are conspecific. However, the upper surfaces are not bleached, and the outer margins of the forewings of the male specimens are more convex than in Lepidochrysops praeterita.