Larval Biology of Anthophagous Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

Abstract

The biology and morphology of the early stages of 22 species of Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) are presented. Observations were collected through the inspection of inflorescences in the field and the rearing of 214 larvae in laboratory. Allosmaitia strophius (Godart) associated with Malpighiaceae species and the polyphagous Strymon mulucha (Hewitson) were the most frequently collected species. Detritivory was observed in two species, Electrostrymon endymion (F.) and Kisutam syllis (Godman & Salvin), and myrmecophily in four other species, A. strophius , Ministrymon azia (Hewitson), Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll), and S. mulucha . Cannibalism was observed in A. strophius ; in addition, the pupa of this and of three other species produced audible sounds. Paiwarria aphaca (Hewitson) was highlighted because of the great difference observed between its first and last instars, as well as the marked difference between that species and the larvae of Paiwarria umbratus (Geyer) documented in Costa Rica. Larvae of Calycopis mimas (Godman & Salvin) displayed “bungee jumping” behavior when stimulated. Parasitoids (Diptera, Hymenoptera) attacked 21 larvae of eight species, A. strophius , K. syllis , M. azia , Pai. aphaca , P. polibetes , Rekoa marius (Lucas), S. mulucha , and Tmolus venustus (H.H. Druce). Illustrations of immatures and parasitoids are provided.

Chemical convergence between a guild of facultative myrmecophilous caterpillars and host plants

“…In multimodal systems with signals and cues between caterpillars and ants (see Casacci et al, 2019), CHC composition can play a key adaptive role in decreasing ant attacks and increasing caterpillar protection and, consequently, survival. Myrmecophilous caterpillar assemblages can be quite rich in species that use different plant resources that vary in terms of nutritional quality and enemy-free space (Seufert & Fiedler, 1996;Rodrigues et al, 2010;Silva et al, 2014). Our study adds a new adaptive layer in the form of variation in the degree of similarity and camouflage efficiency that different host plants can offer myrmecophilous caterpillars.…”

“…Neotropical lycaenid butterflies are included in three subfamilies, within which Eumaeini is the most diverse tribe (Robbins, 2004). Eumaeini caterpillars are generally polyphagous and feed on reproductive tissue (buds and flowers) of host plants (see Robbins & Aiello, 1982;Kaminski et al, 2012;Silva et al, 2014). These caterpillars are engaged in low-degree facultative interactions with tending ants, although several species seem to have lost myrmecophily (Fiedler, 1991;LAK, unpublished data).…”

“…Although females prefer to oviposit on plants with ants (Bächtold et al, 2014), the caterpillars have a non-functional dorsal nectary organ (DNO)that is, they do not establish a typical food-for defense mutualistic interaction with ants, and thus are considered commensal myrmecophilous (i.e. an organism that indirectly interacts with ants) (Kaminski & Freitas, 2010;Silva et al, 2014). (2) Chalybs hassan (Stoll) is a polyphagous caterpillar on flower buds of Araliaceae, Fabaceae, Sapindaceae, and Sterculiaceae (LAK, unpublished data).…”

“…(3) Michaelus thordesa (Hewitson) is a polyphagous caterpillar, but occurs most frequently on tubular flower buds of Bignoniaceae, and lives inside of flowers. It is a facultative myrmecophilous with a functional DNO (Silva et al, 2014;Thiele & Kaminski, in prep.). (4) Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll) is a polyphagous caterpillar that is facultative myrmecophilous with a functional DNO beginning in the third instar, while it is commensal myrmecophilous in the first and second (Kaminski et al, 2010a(Kaminski et al, , 2012Rodrigues et al, 2010).…”

“…(4) Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll) is a polyphagous caterpillar that is facultative myrmecophilous with a functional DNO beginning in the third instar, while it is commensal myrmecophilous in the first and second (Kaminski et al, 2010a(Kaminski et al, , 2012Rodrigues et al, 2010). (5) Rekoa marius (Lucas) is a polyphagous caterpillar that is facultative myrmecophilous with functional DNOs on the third and last instars (Monteiro, 1991;Silva et al, 2014;Faynel et al, 2017). 6Rekoa stagira (Hewitson) is a polyphagous caterpillar that is facultative myrmecophilous with functional DNOs on the third and last instars (Faynel et al, 2017;LAK, unpublished data).…”