Purple-brown Hairstreak

The Purple-brown Hairstreak or Common Hairstreak (Hypolycaena philippus) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa.

The wingspan is 22–28 mm for males and 23.5–31 mm for females. Adults are on wing year round in warmer areas with peaks in November and March or April.

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