| Grassveld sylph | |
|---|---|
 | |
| M. malgacha ssp. malgacha | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Genus: | Metisella |
| Species: | M. malgacha |
| Binomial name | |
| Metisella malgacha | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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]
The upperside wings have many gold spots on a brown background similar to the gold spotted sylph (M. aegipan) that has a darker background. The spots on M. malgacha are typically smaller than M. aegipan. The underside of the wings are orange brown. Sexes are similar.[3]
The larvae feed on Ehrharta erecta.
Subspecies
- 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Metisella malgacha.
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.
- 1 2 3 Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
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