Lycaenidae

Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters, Metalmarks

The family Lycaenidae contains nearly 6000 species in the world. Nearly all of them are small-sized butterflies and even the largest is less than 80mm only. Most species have metallic bluish colour on the upper side and a few have coppery orange-red colour. But the ‘Blues’, especially the females are dark brown and inconspicuous. The underside are typically spotted or streaked in intricate patterns and hind wings are often tailed. Their flight is quick and agile but not sustained. Antennae have long clubs , usually ringed with white and the eyes are encircled with a line of hite scales. Forelegs are functional in both sexes but less well developed in male. Most of the males visit flowers and damp patches but the females seldom venture out of their habitats.

The hairstreaks ( Theclinae) derive their name from the characteristic delicate lines on the underside of wings. They are not represented in our country. The blues ( Polyommatinae) are constricted neck. Many have a honey gland in the mid-dorsal line of the seventh abdominal segment. It secretes a sweet fluid, attractive to ants. They feed on plants of Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Meliaceae, Polygonaceae, Crassulaceae, Primulaceae, Asteraceae Myrtaceae, etc.

Pupae are stout, rounded and usually attached by a silken girdle and tail hooks to the leaves of host plants or without any attachment, lying free among leaves or on ground. Most of them resemble a trussed chicken or bird dropping or tiny monkey’s head.