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Warrior silver-spotted copper
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Subfamily:	Aphnaeinae
Genus:	Argyraspodes Tite & Dickson, 1973
Species:	A. argyraspis
Binomial name
Argyraspodes argyraspis (Trimen, 1873)
Synonyms
Zeritis argyraspis Trimen, 1873 Phasis argyraspis Phasis argyraspis f. labuschagnei van Son, 1959

Argyraspodes is a butterfly genus in the family Lycaenidae. It is monotypic containing only the species Argyraspodes argyraspis, the warrior silver-spotted copper, which is found in South Africa, in the Western and Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape.

Description

The wingspan is 32–38 mm for males and 35–45 mm females. Adults are on wing from August to March and sometimes from July to April.

Habitat and behavior

Males are territorial and are noted for establishing said territories on subtle, rocky outcrops. These butterflies show characteristis of "labuschagnei" form, having specific markings on their undersides and dark borders on their upperwings.

There has been an unusually high occurrence sighted, which is attributed to the above-average rainfall in the Kalahari during summers.

References

1. Argyraspodes at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
2. Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
3. Krüger, M. (2000). "A review of the afrotropical Cabera subalba group, with description of the first Southern African species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)". Metamorphosis. 111 (3). The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa: 111–121. ISSN 2307-5031 – via Lepsoc.

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