Official Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa
Metamorphosis Volume 28 (2017), Part 1 Articles: 41 - 48
Publication Date : 2017-12-15
Author/s : Reinier F. Terblanche

Title :

Anoplolepis steingroeveri (Forel, 1894) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a new associated ant species record for myrmecophilous butterflies in Africa and new host-plant records for Crudaria (Wallengren, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Aphnaeinae)

Abstract :

Anoplolepis steingroeveri is reported for the first time as an associated ant species for a myrmecophilous butterfly species in Africa. Two new host-plant species records for the genus Crudaria are noted; the geoxylic suffrutex Elephantorrhiza elephantina and the thorn tree Vachellia hebeclada subsp. hebeclada. The habitat of an apparently unique Crudaria population at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is closest in profile to a sand ramp and contains both associated ant species A. steingroeveri and host-plant E. elephantina. A geoxylic suffrutex such as E. elephantina is an important alternative host-plant type in the harsh climate of the southern Kalahari but its use by Crudaria could be restricted by other factors such as depth of sandy soils and presence of appropriate associated ant species. Different kinds of sand dune ecosystems and plains adjacent to the Korannaberg Mountains and their use by different butterfly populations are indications of underestimated habitat diversity for butterflies in the southern Kalahari.

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Keywords:

Crudaria, life history, host-plant species, Elephantorrhiza, Vachellia, geoxylic suffrutex, associated ant species, Anoplolepis custodiens, Anoplolepis steingroeveri, Kalahari sands

Citation :

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