Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Lycaenidae
- Genus: Ornipholidotos
- Species: Ornipholidotos ginettae
Authority
The species was formally described by Libert in 2005.
Description
Ornipholidotos ginettae is a small butterfly belonging to the subfamily Poritiinae of the family Lycaenidae. As with other members of the genus, it exhibits delicate wing patterns with a predominance of pale or translucent coloration, though detailed morphological characteristics specific to this species are limited in publicly available sources.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is known from forested regions of Central and East Africa. Recorded occurrences include parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and possibly adjoining countries with suitable tropical forest habitats. It inhabits primary and secondary lowland forest ecosystems, where adults are typically observed near the forest canopy and edges.
Biology and Ecology
Information on the life cycle, host plants, and ecological interactions of O. ginettae is scarce. Like many Lycaenidae, it is presumed that the larvae may have mutualistic relationships with ant species (myrmecophily), a common trait within the family, but this has not been documented specifically for O. ginettae.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Ornipholidotos ginettae, and therefore its conservation status remains unclear. Habitat loss due to deforestation in its known range could pose a potential threat, though specific impact assessments are lacking.
References
- Libert, M. (2005). Description of new species of Ornipholidotos (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from the Afrotropical region. Entomologische Zeitschrift, 115(4), 159–168.
- Savela, Markku. "Ornipholidotos". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Accessed 2026.
- Afrotropical Butterflies: Lycaenidae – Subtribe Pentilina. (Online resource).
Note: Information on this species is derived from taxonomic literature and regional butterfly databases. Comprehensive data on its biology, ecology, and conservation are limited.
