Hypolycaena philippus

Hypolycaena philippus, the purple-brown hairstreak or common hairstreak, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa where it is commonly found in wooded locations.

The wingspan is 22–28 mm for males and 23.5–31 mm for females. Females lack the purple sheen which is present on the upper wings of males, and instead have submarginal white markings on their hind wings. Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas with peaks in November and March or April.

The larvae feed on Clerodendrum glabrum, Ximenia species (including X. caffra and X. americana), Deinbollia species (including D. oblongifolia), Vangueria species (including the inside of fruits of V. randii), Maytenus senegalensis, Allophylus, Loranthus, Punica granatum, other Clerodendrum, Coccinia grandis and Ixora.

Subspecies

 * Hypolycaena philippus philippus – mainland sub-Saharan Africa
 * Hypolycaena philippus ramonza (Saalmüller, 1878) – Madagascar, Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Comoro Islands