Anthene kikuyu

Anthene kikuyu
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Anthene
Species: A. kikuyu
Binomial name
Anthene kikuyu
(Bethune-Baker, 1910)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lycaenesthes otacilia var. kikuyu Bethune-Baker, 1910
  • Anthene (Anthene) kikuyu

Anthene kikuyu, the Kikuyu ciliate blue, is a butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is found in Mauritania, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, central and western Kenya and north-western Tanzania.[2] The habitat consists of dry savanna.

Adults of both sexes are often attracted to the flowers of Acacia species.

The larvae feed on the young terminal shoots of Acacia lahai, Acacia stenocarpa and Dichrostachys species. They are associated with ants of the Crematogaster genus. The larvae are very dark green and very hairy.

References

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