Definition
Oxylides stempfferi is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.
Overview
The species belongs to the genus Oxylides, which comprises a small group of Afrotropical lycaenid butterflies. O. stempfferi was formally described in the scientific literature in the late 20th century. It is known from forested habitats within the West‑Central African region, although detailed distribution records are limited.
Etymology / Origin
The generic name Oxylides derives from classical Greek roots, where “oxy‑” means “sharp” or “acute” and “‑lides” is a common suffix in butterfly names, though the precise intention of the original author is not documented. The specific epithet stempfferi honors the French lepidopterist Henri Stempffer (1894–1978), who made significant contributions to the taxonomy of African Lycaenidae.
Characteristics
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Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Lycaenidae
- Genus: Oxylides
- Species: O. stempfferi
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Morphology: Adult butterflies of the genus Oxylides are small to medium‑sized, exhibiting iridescent coloration on the dorsal wing surfaces, often with metallic blues or greens. The ventral wing surfaces typically display intricate patterns of fine lines and spots that provide camouflage against bark and leaf litter. Specific wing pattern details for O. stempfferi are not widely published; existing descriptions note similarity to congeners with subtle differences in the arrangement of ventral markings.
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Life cycle: As with other Lycaenidae, the larvae are presumed to engage in mutualistic relationships with ants (myrmecophily), though the exact host plants and ant species for O. stempfferi have not been documented in the accessible literature.
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Habitat: The species inhabits tropical moist forests, favoring the understory and edges where host plants are present. Precise ecological preferences remain insufficiently recorded.
Related Topics
- Lycaenidae – the butterfly family that includes blues, coppers, and hairstreaks.
- Oxylides – the genus comprising several African species such as Oxylides faunus and Oxylides sidae.
- Henri Stempffer – noted lepidopterist whose work focused on African Lycaenidae.
- Myrmecophily – the symbiotic association between lycaenid larvae and ants, a common trait in the family.
Note: While the existence of Oxylides stempfferi as a described species is confirmed by taxonomic sources, detailed biological and ecological data are scarce, and some specific attributes (e.g., exact distribution, larval host plants) remain insufficiently documented.