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2001•African EntomologyOpen access

Life history of the threatened Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae)

Suxiang Lu, Michael J. Samways

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Abstract

The behaviour and life history of the threatened Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Butler) (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae), were studied between 1997 and 1999. The butterfly is now known from four sites in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. O. ariadne is univoltine and on the wing in March and April, when it utilizes eight species of nectar plants. The oviposition plant is Indigofera woodii H. Bol. var. laxa H. Bol. (Fabaceae), an erect variety. This butterfly is ant-dependent, with the young larva being taken into the nest of Camponotus natalensis (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) where development continues, including pupation. Indications are that the critical factor limiting population levels is oviposition plant availability.

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What this paper is about

The behaviour and life history of the threatened Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Butler) (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae), were studied between 1997 and 1999. The butterfly is now known from four sites in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. O. ariadne is univoltine and on the wing in March and April, when it utilizes eight species of nectar plants. The oviposition plant is Indigofera woodii H. Bol. var. laxa H. Bol. (Fabaceae), an erect variety. This butterfly is ant-dependent, with the young larva being taken into the nest of Camponotus natalensis (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) where development continues, including pupation. Indications are that the critical factor limiting population levels is oviposition plant availability.

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Available abstract

The behaviour and life history of the threatened Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Butler) (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae), were studied between 1997 and 1999. The butterfly is now known from four sites in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. O. ariadne is univoltine and on the wing in March and April, when it utilizes eight species of nectar plants. The oviposition plant is Indigofera woodii H. Bol. var. laxa H. Bol. (Fabaceae), an erect variety. This butterfly is ant-dependent, with the young larva being taken into the nest of Camponotus natalensis (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) where development continues, including pupation. Indications are that the critical factor limiting population levels is oviposition plant availability.

Key concepts: Lycaenidae, Biology, Butterfly, Lepidoptera genitalia, Threatened species, Pupa, Nectar, Ecology

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Life history of the threatened Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae) — Research Paper | ScholarLens