Deloneura immaculata

Deloneura immaculate is a presumably extinct species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae ( Lycaenidae ), which has been known only from three females that were in 1863, collected in the Transkei, South Africa. It is regarded as the type species of the genus Deloneura.

Features

The three specimens have a wingspan 18-23 mm. There are pure yellow butterflies with rounded wings. The top is ocher yellow with no markings. The cost Alfeld and the rear edge of the area on the underside of the hind wings are bright and clear. The coloring of the male is unknown.

Habitat and Ecology

The species was discovered in a wooded area along the banks of Mbhashe Rivers. James Henry Bowker described it as a real forest insect, which is found only within forest or at the forest edges. The flight was similar to the type Acraea horta and a moth of the genus Aroa, which is known locally as "yellow tree moth". Bowker described the flight as follows: " twirl slowly with flapping wings to the tops of the trees, rise and fall, sail away and come back again. "

Discovery history and status

The Typusexamplar was collected on December 27, 1863 at Mbhashe River near Fort James Henry Bowker of Bowker. Two additional copies Bowker began before January 1, 1864. Subsequently he remained for several months in the region, but was no longer detectable copy. Presumably, the habitat changes have contributed in the vicinity of Fort Bowker to the disappearance of species. Two copies are in the South African Museum in Cape Town, the third at the Natural History Museum in London.