Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Lycaenidae (the gossamer-winged butterflies)
- Genus: Eicochrysops
- Species: Eicochrysops rogersi
General Description
Eicochrysops rogersi is a species of butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. Members of the genus Eicochrysops are commonly referred to as “blue” or “ciliate” blues and are typically small, delicate butterflies with iridescent coloration on the dorsal wing surfaces and more muted ventral patterns.
Authority and Naming
The species was formally described in the early 20th century; the original description attributes authorship to the lepidopterist who first recorded it, along with the year of publication. The specific epithet “rogersi” honors an individual (likely a collector or contributor) with the surname Rogers, a customary practice in taxonomic nomenclature.
Distribution and Habitat
Eicochrysops rogersi is an Afrotropical butterfly. Existing records place the species within the African continent, occupying habitats typical for Lycaenidae such as open grasslands, savannas, and areas where host plants for its larvae are present. Precise country‑level distribution data are limited in publicly accessible sources.
Biology and Ecology
- Life cycle: As with other Lycaenids, the species undergoes complete metamorphosis (egg → larva → pupa → adult).
- Host plants: Larvae of Eicochrysops species often feed on legumes or herbaceous plants; specific host plants for E. rogersi have not been definitively documented.
- Behavior: Adults are likely diurnal and may be observed nectaring on flowering plants, often close to the larval host substrates.
Conservation Status
There is currently no assessment of Eicochrysops rogersi on the IUCN Red List, and detailed population data are not available. Consequently, its conservation status is not formally established.
Notes on Available Information
While the taxonomic placement of Eicochrysops rogersi within Lycaenidae is well‑recognized, many aspects of its biology, precise geographic range, and ecological requirements remain insufficiently documented in readily accessible encyclopedic references. Further field studies and taxonomic reviews would be required to fill these knowledge gaps.
