Australian LYCAENIDAE

LYCAENIDAE in Australia
Blues, Hairstreaks, & Coppers
PAPILIONOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans,
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

LYCAENIDAE

eggs

LYCAENIDAE

caterpillars

LYCAENIDAE

pupae

LYCAENIDAE

males

LYCAENIDAE

females

LYCAENIDAE

undersides

The common names of the families are derived generally from the adults not the Caterpillars. "Blue" and "Copper" refer to the predominant colours of the wings of the adults of various members of this family.

The butterflies of LYCAENIDAE generally lay their eggs singly on the undersides of young leaves of the foodplants. The eggs are usually spherical and cream coloured.

Most of the Caterpillars of this family are small, as are the adults. The Caterpillars also have an unusual shape and posture. Their head is often held under the body, which is flattened and broad, superficially resembling a wood louse or slater. They are often covered with secondary hairs (setae) of diverse shapes, such as branched, clubbed, or stellate. The bodies of many species also bear median and dorsolateral organs, typically on the seventh segment. These secrete a honey-like liquid, which often attracts ants. The continual presence of the ants probably deters parasitic wasps and flies from preying on the Caterpillars. This topic is the subject of current research.

Caterpillar of Daemel's Blue (Jalmanus daemeli) with attendant ant.

The pupae are usually secured by hooks beneath the rear abdominal segments to a pad of silk and by a central girdle of silk. However, in some species the pupae lie free in the soil, and hooks and girdle are absent.

The 146 Australian species of LYCAENIDAE are:

Acrodipsas arcana : Black-Veined Ant Blue
Acrodipsas aurata : Bronze Ant Blue
Acrodipsas brisbanensis : Large Ant Blue
Acrodipsas cuprea : Copper Ant Blue

Acrodipsas decima : Northern Ant Blue
Acrodipsas hirtipes : Black Ant Blue
Acrodipsas illidgei : Mangrove Ant Blue
Acrodipsas melania : Grey Ant Blue
Acrodipsas mortoni : Brown Ant Blue
Acrodipsas myrmecophila : Small Ant Blue

Anthene lycaenoides : Pale Ciliate Blue
Anthene seltuttus : Dark Ciliate Blue

Arhopala centaurus : Dull Oak Blue
Arhopala madytus : Bright Oak Blue
Arhopala micale : White Oak Blue
Arhopala wildei : Small Oak Blue

Bindahara phocides : Sword-Tailed Flash

Candalides heathi : Rayed Blue
Candalides noelkeri : Golden Rayed Blue
Candalides xanthospilos : Yellow Spot Blue

Catochrysops amasea : Pale Blue
Catochrysops panormus : Forget-me-not

Catopyrops ancyra : Papuan Line Blue
Catopyrops florinda : Speckled Line Blue

Cyprotides cyprotus : Copper Pencilled Blue

Danis danis : Large Green-banded Blue

Deudorix democles : White-spotted Flash
Deudorix diovis : Bright Cornelian
Deudorix epijarbas : Dull Cornelian
Deudorix epirus : Red-Lobed Flash
Deudorix smilis : Princess Flash

Eirmocides absimilis : Pencilled Blue
Eirmocides consimilis : Dark Pencilled Blue
Eirmocides helenita : Shining Pencilled Blue
Eirmocides margarita : Trident Pencilled Blue

Erina acasta : Blotched Blue
Erina delospila : Spotted Dusky Blue
Erina erinus : Small Dusky Blue
Erina geminus : Large Dusky Blue
Erina hyacinthina : Varied Dusky Blue