Hypolycaena philippus, the purple-brown hairstreak or common hairstreak, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa where it is commonly found in wooded locations.
| Hypolycaena philippus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Hypolycaena |
| Species: | H. philippus
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| Binomial name | |
| Hypolycaena philippus | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe wingspan is 22–28 mm for males and 23.5–31 mm for females.[2] Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas with peaks in November and March or April.[2]
Habitat and behavior
editThe larvae feed on Clerodendrum glabrum, Ximenia species (including X. afra and X. americana), Deinbollia species (including D. oblongifolia), Vangueria species (including the inside of fruits of V. randii), Maytenus senegalensis, Allophylus, Loranthus, Punica granatum, other Clerodendrum, Coccinia grandis and Ixora.[citation needed]
Subspecies
edit- Hypolycaena philippus philippus – mainland sub-Saharan Africa
- Hypolycaena philippus ramonza (Saalmüller, 1878) – Madagascar, Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Comoro Islands
References
edit- ^ Hypolycaena at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ a b Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
External links
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