Meadow Blue

Scientific Name
Cupidopsis cissus
GODART, 1824
Specie in
Family
Meadow Blue
Cupidopsis cissus cissus, male, Mount Gemi, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

The genus Cupidopsis comprises of 2 species – cissus and iobates, both of which are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa.

Cupidopsis iobates ( the Tailed Meadow Blue ) differs in having a narrow orange submarginal band on the hindwings, which are adorned with thin tails. The female of cissus, which is untailed, also has an orange submarginal band on the hindwings, but lacks any blue colouration, the latter being replaced by patches or steaks of greyish-white.

Cupidopsis cissus is distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa including Madagascar.

Habitats

This species is normally found on grassy hills and open areas within forest which receive moderate to high rainfall, but is occasionally encountered on the savannahs.

Cupidopsis cissus cissus, male, Mount Gemi, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border - Adrian Hoskins
Cupidopsis cissus cissus, male, Mount Gemi, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border – Adrian Hoskins

Lifecycle

The larvae feed on the flowers of Eriosema, Rhynchosia, and Vigna (Fabaceae).

Adult behaviour

Males can be found flitting from spot to spot along pathways through grassy areas, where they imbibe mineralised moisture from rocks and damp ground. Females are seen less often, usually when basking on grasses in between egg-laying bouts.

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Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Cupidopsis cissus
by
GODART, 1824
Family
SubFamily
POLYOMMATINAE
Tribe
POLYOMMATINI
SubTribe
N/A

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