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'{{Short description|Species of butterfly}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image2 = | taxon = Lepidochrysops miniata | authority = Gardiner, 2004<ref>[http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/lycaenidae/polyommatinae/lepidochrysops/index.html ''Lepidochrysops''] at Markku Savela's ''Lepidoptera and some other life forms''</ref> | synonyms = }} '''''Lepidochrysops miniata''''' is a [[butterfly]] in the family [[Lycaenidae]]. It is found in [[Zambia]].<ref name=ATBUT>[http://atbutterflies.com/downloads/lycaenidae_polyommatini_4.doc Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae - Tribe Polyommatini (part 4)]</ref> The habitat consists of [[miombo]] [[woodland]]. == Etymology == The name ''miniata'' is derived from [[latin]], meaning red lead or [[Vermilion|vermillion]] (miniata). It refers to its cinnamon-brown appearance with a reddish hue.<ref name=":0" /> == Description<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Gardiner |first=A. |date=2004 |title=New species of Lepidochrysops Hedicke (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from north-western Zambia |url=https://www.lepsoc.org/ |journal=Metamorphosis |publisher=The Lepidopterists Society of Africa |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=156- 164}}</ref> == The [[wingspan]] is 14.0-17.7 mm in males and 15.3-17.8 mm in females. They have been recorded on wing in September.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} The wings have a cinnamon-purple color on the upperside, and cinnamon-brown color underneath on males. On females, the upperside is mauve, darkening towards the base with brown-black markings on the outer edges, while its underside is similar to the male but featuring bolder spotting. === Male === The head region is white around the eyes, with distinct grey and black longitudinal lines between them, and behind the [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]]. There are grey-black scales on the [[frons]]. The antennae feature incomplete white bands on a black base beneath the club and base of each segment, which grow wider on the ventral surface. The underside of the club is orange-brown, while the upperside is black , grey and white on the outer edge. Its [[Insect morphology|apiculus]] is blunt and the tips are flat and twisted. The [https://www.britannica.com/science/labial-palp labial palpi] consists of 3 segments: the basal segment is [[dorsally]] black and laterally white. The following segment is predominantly black with very little white at the basal area, and the last (apical) segment is entirely black. The thorax is black with a slight blue iridescence, and contains grey and golden-brown hairs arranged [[Anatomical terms of location|posteriorly]] and laterally. The underside is white. The [[Femur|femora]], [[Tibia|tibiae]], and [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsi]] grow lighter in shade in the respective order, with a mix of beige, white and brown. The femur-tibia follow size ratios of: * [[Forelimb|Foreleg]]: 1.09:1 * Midleg: 1.41:1 * [[Hindlimb|Hindleg]]: 0.90:1 The abdomen transitions from black-brown to creamy-white [[Anatomical terms of location|ventrally]] on its [[Anatomical terms of location|dorsal]] region. A few bluish scales are present dorsally on the abdomen and thorax. ==== Forewing ==== The dorsal surface if the [[forewings]] features a purple sheen on a cinnamon base, and blackish tones near the base. The end of the cell and veins are darker with a dark marginal region, and the [[Cilium|cilia]] darken [[Anatomical terms of location|proximally]]. The ventral surface lightens towards the inner margin, with a golden-brown mark at the end of the cell. Some specimens feature post-discal spots, which are variable in number and often absent. When present, these spots seem to be darker and surrounded by a paler halo. There are two lines running down the wings: a dark submarginal line that runs down and is interrupted at the veins, getting dislodged towards the base; and a paler line interrupted at the wings, down its [[Glossary of entomology terms|termen]]. The margin is golden-brown with bronze cilia and a darker central portion. ==== Hindwing ==== The [[hindwing]] is similar in coloration to the forewing and is tailless. A faint black spot with a slight orange inner ring is located near the margin. There is a light mark at the end of the cell, sometimes surrounded by orange scales. The coastal area and termen are darker, gradually lightening towards the base. The fringe along the edge is beige distally, transitioning to brownish-black proximally. There is an arc of spots on discal region, the visibility and presence of which varies among species. These are black spots are outlined with white rings on the inner and outer margins, except two which contain white rings on the outer margin only. These spots appear isolated and are located closer to the base of the wings. A scaled, longitudinal-striped border marks the [[Glossary of entomology terms|discocellular]] area. In some specimens, three subbasal black spots with pale scales are present. There are also two submarginal lines, interrupted at the veins. However, these lines are not consistend among specimens and may be replaced by black spots, lined with orange and bluish scales. A pale line runs along the termen. === Genitalia === The [[Lepidoptera genitalia|uncus]] is bilobed, laterally fused to [[Lepidoptera genitalia|tegumen]]. There are long and curved [[Lepidoptera genitalia|subunci]], that gradually thin towards the apex, which is hooked. The lower [[Fultura insect|fultura]] consists of two small arms fused to the base of the valves. These valves are long and bow-shaped, narrowing and recurving to form a pointed shape towards the distal third. There is long, fine cilia upon the valves and uncus. The [[Aedeagus|aedaegus]] is cylindrical, thick and largens towards apical end. Sheathing it is the [[Lepidoptera genitalia|anellus]], which is broad and also fused to the aedaegus. Distally, the aedaegus has a smooth appearance due to presence of short, lateral pieces. === Female === The coloration and markings of the head region and thorax in females, is similar to the males. However, the thorax features more light blue scales as compared. The femora are beige above and laterally, while the tibiae and tarsi are black-beige on the outer lateral edge. All legs are white on the underside (with some black scales on the tarsi) The femur-tibia follow size ratios of: * Foreleg: 1.3:1 * Midleg: 1.6:1 * Hindleg: 1.1:1 The abdomen is grey-brown above, becoming creamy to white below. The base of each segment is light in color, containing some purple and light blue scales on the dorsal surface. ==== Forewing ==== The upper side is [[mauve]] in color, darkening towards base, and extending towards the inner-marginal area. The costal, marginal, and submarginal areas are brown-black. A dark, bold spot is visible at the end of the cell. The cilia shift from grey to dark brown proximally. The ventral surface also resembles that of the males, though the postdiscal spots are more often present and visible, along with a broader marginal line. The fringe is greyish brown on the underside, lightening distally, sometimes displaying a checkered patern with white near the base. == Habitat and behavior == The males show territorial behavior and have a swift flight speed. While engaging in aerial disputes, they resemble ''[[Aloeides]]'' species. ''L. miniata'' females have a slower flight speed compared to males.<ref name=":0" /> [[Ovipositor|Oviposition]] takes place near ''[[Ocimum]]'' plants. Adults feed from the flowers of ''[[Ocimum L. Lamiaceae|Ocimum L. lamiaceae]]'' species. The larvae feed on ''[[Ocimum homblei]]''.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} ==References== {{Commons}} {{Wikispecies}} {{Reflist}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q6527541}} [[Category:Butterflies described in 2004]] [[Category:Lepidochrysops]] [[Category:Endemic fauna of Zambia]] [[Category:Butterflies of Africa]] {{Polyommatini-stub}}'