Metisella malgacha
Appearance
Grassveld sylph | |
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M. malgacha ssp. malgacha | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Hesperiidae |
Genus: | Metisella |
Species: | M. malgacha
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Binomial name | |
Metisella malgacha | |
Synonyms | |
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Metisella malgacha, the grassveld sylph, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in the Cape, Free State, Lesotho, Transvaal, and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The habitat consists of grassland and grassy areas in the fynbos and Karoo.[2]
The wingspan is 25–29 mm for males and 27–31 mm for females.[3]
Flight period is between August and May with several broods possible or December to January at highest elevations.[3][3]
The larvae feed on Ehrharta erecta.
Subspecies
[edit]- Metisella malgacha malgacha (South Africa: Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province)
- Metisella malgacha orina Vári, 1976 (Lesotho, South Africa: Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal – Drakensberg)
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Metisella malgacha.
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Wikispecies has information related to Metisella malgacha.
- ^ Metisella at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ "Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Heteropterinae". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- ^ a b c Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.