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.
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