A survey of the last instar larvae of the Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) of California

The biology and last instar larval morphology of 69 species of California lycaenids are surveyed. Diagnostic descriptions of the subfamilies, genera, and species are provided together with a species key based primarily on larval morphology. Also included is a list of confirmed larval hosts including many host species not previously reported. Major aspects of the larval morphology of 29 exotic lycaenid species representing six subfamilies and 17 tribes are also reviewed for comparison.