What color is the butterfly Lycaena?

Lycaenidae is one of the most numerous families of day butterflies. The main species diversity can be observed in a warm tropical zone; in the temperate Palearctic region, no more than 500 species are found. Small insects with diverse colors settle on the edges of forests, in meadows, coastal thickets. In many regions, the butterfly Lycaena is endangered. Representatives of the family - Arion, David, magnificent marshmallows are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

Family Characteristics

The Lycaenidae family contains more than 5 thousand species of butterflies. You can meet them in all corners of the world, but the largest (up to 60 mm) and bright moths live in the tropics. In the temperate zone, 500 species of small butterflies Lycaenidae are common. The wingspan of insects is 20-40 mm. The name of the family was chosen due to the bright blue color of the wings of butterflies. But among the many representatives of this group there are butterflies of red, brown, orange.

Interesting fact. Some species of lycaenidae have small, thin tails on the hind wings. Among the Palaearctic inhabitants there is a spotted chervonets, a Lycaena pea, flowed birch. In tropical species - atlideshalesus.

On the underside of the wings, the color is gray, brown, brown, or yellowish. A characteristic pattern of light bandages and ocular spots. Among generations of one year, color changes occur. They consist in the loss of ocelli and marginal pattern. Eyes turn into spots, additional dots appear, turning them into an exclamation mark. Usually, the transformations concern the autumn generation of butterflies.

The eyes of Lycaenidae are large, convex, in most cases surrounded by hairs, less often bare. The antennae are club-shaped, at their base an oval notch. Of the three pairs of limbs, the forelimbs are the shortest. On hind tibia one pair of spurs.

Sexual dimorphism

The group of Lycaenidae is characterized by pronounced sexual dimorphism. The color of the wings of males is brighter than that of females. In females, the blue or red color of muted shades, there are more dark elements. On the inner side of the wings, the pattern of marginal spots is more pronounced in females. One of the significant differences is the structure of the forelimbs. The legs of the male are underdeveloped, the legs are not divided into segments. Insects do not use them when walking, moving on four limbs.

Caterpillar

Butterflies develop in four stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and imago. Lycaena caterpillars are short, with a convex back and a flat lower part. This type of structure is called mycelric. The head is small, the body length is not more than 20 mm. They feed on trees, bushes, grassy plants. They lead a secretive lifestyle, the greenish coloring of the body helps to go unnoticed.

Lifestyle & Nutrition

Lycaenidae are butterflies, they are active in warm, clear weather. They feed on nectar of flowers, to meet the need for trace elements they drink aphid excreta and bird excrement. Males show territorial behavior. They aggressively protect their site not only from other butterflies, but also from wasps.
Many species are found locally.Colony of Lycaenidae is limited to the places of growth of fodder plants of caterpillars. They are not inclined to migration and flights in search of comfortable conditions. This feature negatively affects the number of insects. Due to factors that violate the habitat, several species of lycaenidae were on the verge of extinction.

Development features

Female Lycaenidae lay their eggs in flower buds. Caterpillars feed on the fodder plant for the first time, then descend to the ground. Many Lycaenidae species develop in close symbiosis with meadow ants. Caterpillars are able to secrete a sweet liquid that attracts ants, and sound signals that control their behavior. Lycaenidae ankon ants themselves bring to their home, where the caterpillars feed on larvae and pupae.

Pupae short and thick. They are attached by a spider web to branches or leaves. In some species, pupation occurs on the ground, in a spider web cocoon.

Types of Lycaenidae

Among the most interesting types of Lycaenidae, the following can be distinguished:

David (Neolycaenadavidi)

Butterfly Lycaena davida is painted in dark brown color. Its wingspan is 30 mm. Insects are distributed in Altai, in Transbaikalia, Mongolia, in the north of China. Adults fly from late June to late July. They settle in pine forests and on mountain slopes. Caterpillars develop on a deciduous shrub of a caragan. They are green in color with two light stripes on the back and oblique lines on the sides.

Interesting fact. The female lays eggs on the branches of the bush in the morning, covering the clutch with hairs from the abdomen.

The species is declining in number and is listed in the Red Book of Russia. Limiting factors are the destruction of the forage shrub by forest fires and grazing.

Arion (Phengarisarion)

Butterfly Lycaena arion distributed in Europe, Central Asia, Western Siberia. The size of the insect is 20 mm, the main background of the wings is blue. A wide dark stripe runs along the perimeter, black spots on the front wings. Butterflies inhabit grass meadows, found in the foothills and on the edges of oak forests. Females lay eggs on thyme, but soon the caterpillars move to the nearest anthills.

Arion is a local species, in the Tula region is listed in the Red Book. The insect population is declining throughout Europe. The reason was the development of habitats, the destruction of symbiotic ant nests.

Marshmallow excellent

Species Protantigiussuperans or Butterfly Zephyr excellent - endemic inhabitant of the Far Eastern region. The color of the wings is brown with white marginal spots, wingspan - 40 mm. Ponytails up to 6 mm on hind wings. Butterfly lives in mixed forests. Excellent marshmallow is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Raspberry (Callophrasrubi)

In sparse shrubs, on the outskirts of marshes and edges of broad-leaved forests, a small raspberry-froth butterfly lives. The outside of the wings is reddish brown, but difficult to see. Adults calmly fold their wings behind their backs, showing a greenish color that merges with the surrounding vegetation. Years are observed from the end of April to June. Adults keep in the crowns of trees and shrubs, weaning for food on flowers.

Fodder plants of caterpillars: gorse, birch, broom, joster, raspberry. The habitat of the species is the temperate part of Europe, North Africa, steppe and desert zones of the Caucasus.

Icarus (Polyomamatusicarys)

One of the most common species on the territory of Russia is the butterfly Lycaena ikar. Its wingspan is 25-30 mm. The males are gray-blue in color, along the edge of the wings passes a narrow black stripe and light fringe. The body of the butterfly is densely covered with long blue hairs. Females are brownish-blue with blue dusting and yellow marginal spots.

In the southern regions of Europe, they occur from April to October, giving two to three generations a year. Females lay eggs at the petioles of young leaves of herbaceous plants - common ulcer, wild strawberry, alfalfa, sweet clover, meadow clover. Larvae eat up leaves, starting from the edges. Icarus caterpillars are characterized by symbiosis with ants. An adult caterpillar winters, sometimes a chrysalis.Ants hide it in cracks or cracks in the soil.

Rimn (Neolicaenarhumnus)

Butterfly Lycaena rhyme is found in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Insects live in local populations in the steppes and foothills. The size of the wings is 20-25 mm, the upper part is brown, without a pattern. The underside is lighter, white spots with black dots at the outer edge. The fringe is light. The tip of the mace is orange. Adults fly in May-June. Butterfly is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Polygonum buckthorn (Celastrinaargiolus)

Butterfly Lycaenidae spring or Lycaenidae buckthorn is widely distributed in Europe, except for areas of the far north. It is found in Asia, China and North America. The wingspan is 25 mm, the top is blue-blue, in females with a wide dark stripe along the edge. Two generations develop in a year. Butterflies can be found in forest glades, in gardens and parks, on the banks of ponds, in open woodlands.

Females lay eggs on fruit trees. After a week, caterpillars appear, feeding on flowers, leaves and ovaries. Argiolus live on currants, buckthorn, raspberries, ivy, apple, pear. Caterpillars come in contact with many species of ants. Polyommatus argiolus - “little argus” has become the national butterfly of Finland.