About Eicochrysops messapus (Godart, 1824)
Eicochrysops messapus, commonly known as the cupreous blue, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Lycaenidae. This species is distributed across Africa. In South Africa, it is a rare butterfly, only recorded from the northern region of Limpopo province and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Males of this species have a wingspan ranging from 17 to 22 mm, while females have a wingspan ranging from 17 to 24 mm. Adult Eicochrysops messapus are active throughout the year in warmer areas, with population peaks occurring in October and March. In cooler areas, adults are not present between April and September. The larvae of this species are thought to feed on plant species from the genus Thesium.
