Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Lycaenidae (gossamer-winged butterflies)
- Subfamily: Poritiinae
- Tribe: Epitolini
- Genus: Cephetola
- Species: Cephetola nigeriae
- Authority: (Jackson, 1964)
- Synonyms: Epitola nigeriae Jackson, 1964
Common name
- Referred to in some sources as the “Nigerian epitola.”
Description
- Detailed morphological descriptions (e.g., wing pattern, size) are not extensively documented in widely accessible literature. As a member of the genus Cephetola, it is presumed to be a small to medium‑sized butterfly with the characteristic delicate wing structures typical of Lycaenids.
Distribution and habitat
- Reported from Nigeria, specifically the southern and low‑land forest regions.
- Some records suggest occurrence in adjacent West‑Central African countries (e.g., Cameroon), but the primary documented range focuses on Nigeria.
- Inhabits forested environments, including primary rainforest edges and secondary growth where host plants and ant associations are present.
Biology and ecology
- Like many Lycaenidae, the species is likely involved in myrmecophilous relationships (mutualistic interactions with ants) during its larval stage, although specific ant partners have not been recorded.
- Host‑plant species for the larvae have not been definitively identified in published sources.
Conservation status
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Cephetola nigeriae; thus, its global conservation status is currently Not Evaluated.
- Habitat loss due to deforestation and land‑use change in the Nigerian forest belt could be potential threats, but direct impact assessments are lacking.
Research notes
- Published information on C. nigeriae remains relatively limited, with most references confined to taxonomic checklists and regional lepidopteran surveys.
- Further field studies are needed to clarify its distribution limits, life‑history traits, host‑plant associations, and conservation requirements.
References
- Jackson, T.H.E. (1964). Descriptions of new Lycaenidae from West Africa. Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, 27: 123‑131.
- Libert, M. (1999). The Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae – Subtribe Epitolina. Nairobi: African Butterfly Research Institute.
- Savela, Markku. “Cephetola.” Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Accessed 2026.
No additional verifiable information is currently available.
