Lepidochrysops hypopolia

Lepidochrysops hypopolia is a presumably extinct species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae ( Lycaenidae ). The type came in KwaZulu -Natal and the Transvaal before in South Africa and has been known only by three males. Females were never found.

Features

The three collected males have a wingspan of 19-20 mm. The top is dull violet-blue with a narrow brown seam. The top of the front wing has a distinct media spot, while the upper side of the hind wing has a small black spot, which is usually above the Analwinkels of an ocher yellow crescent.

Habitat

The species was found on grassland.

Discovery history and status

The first two males were collected on 21 September 1870 by Walter Morant at Blue bench near Ladysmith, KwaZulu -Natal in the area of the Drakensberg. The third male was discovered in 1879 by Thomas Ayres in Potchefstroom, Transvaal. The specimens of Morant located at the Natural History Museum in London. The copy of Ayres is kept in the South African Museum in Cape Town. Since 1879 no further copy more was found. The reasons for the disappearance of this butterfly are unknown. There was speculation that it could act at praeterita Lepidochrysops hypopolia chemically bleached specimens of closely related species Lepidochrysops. However, the tops are not bleached and the outer edges of the front wings are more convex than in the males of Lepidochrysops praeterita.