Black-striped Hairtail

Afrikaans name: Swartstreep-kortstertjie

isiZulu name: Uluhlaza Okwesibhakabhaka Omidwa-mnyama

isiXhosa name: UMzuba oNtsityana ziMigca Mnyama

Black-striped Hairtail

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthene amarah amarah

The Black-striped Hairtail butterfly is also known as the Striped Ciliate Blue, Leaden Hairtail and Leaden Ciliate Blue. It is found in more tropical habitats in Africa and Arabia.

Males have a wingspan of around 2.5 cm and females are slightly bigger. The top side of the male's wing is more of an olive brown than the plain brown of the female. The caterpillar is around 1 cm in length and bright green in colour. The curious thing is that it seems to be protected from other insects by ants.

Black-striped Hairtails are found over most of the eastern half of South Africa in suitable habitat. They are on the wing all year round but the population is at its highest in mid-summer.

References and further reading

The Life Histories of the South African Lycaenid Butterflies - Author: GC Clark & CGC Dickson - Published: 1971 - Page: 105

What s That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 1421

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 262

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 66

Ivor Migdoll s Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 197

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 248

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 45

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Published: 2005 - Page: 40

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Published: 1982 - Page: 65

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 206

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 47

For more info: Wikipedia

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