Theclinesthes sulpitius (Miskin, 1890)
(one synonym : Neolucia obscura)
Saltpan Blue
 POLYOMMATINI ,   POLYOMMATINAE ,   LYCAENIDAE

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

Theclinesthes sulpitius
(Photo: courtesy of Todd Burrows, South Stradbroke Island)

The Caterpillar of this species is green with a hairy head and tail. It has a brown head and a purple dorsal line. The caterpillar and the pupa are often attended by ants. The caterpillar feeds on various types of Saltbush ( CHENOPODIACEAE ), such as:

  • Brown-head Samphire ( Halosarcia indica ),
  • Glasswort ( Sarcocornia quinqueflora ),
  • Austral Seablite ( Suaeda australis ), and
  • Australasian Samphire ( Tecticornia australasica ).

    Theclinesthes sulpitius
    (Photo: courtesy of Todd Burrows, South Stradbroke Island)

    The pupae are brown and attached to a stem of a foodplant.

    Theclinesthes sulpitius
    (Photo: courtesy of Todd Burrows, South Stradbroke Island)

    The adult butterflies are brown with a bluish sheen.

    Theclinesthes sulpitius
    (Specimen: courtesy of The Australian Museum)

    The undersides are brown with wiggly white lines. The butterflies have a wingspan of about 2 cms.

    The eggs are white round, flattened, and have a pitted surface. They are laid singly on young shoots of a foodplant.

    Theclinesthes sulpitius
    underside
    (Specimen: courtesy of The Australian Museum)

    The species occurs along the east coast of Australia including :

  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales, and
  • Victoria.

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby,
    Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 2, pp. 814-815.

    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    caterpillars
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar

    (updated 24 November 2010)