Hypolycaena philippus

Description

Hypolycaena philippus, the purple-brown hairstreak or common hairstreak, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The wingspan is 22–28 mm for males and 23.5–31 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas with peaks in November and March or April. The larvae feed on Clerodendron glabrum, Ximenia species (including X. caffra and X. americana), Deinbollia species (including D. oblongifolia), Vangueria species (including the inside of fruits of V. randii), Maytenus senegalensis, Allophylus, Loranthus, Punica granatum, Clerodendrum, Coccinia grandis and Ixora.