Page 154 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Lycaenidae
DISTRIBUTION East, southeast, and other scattered areas of Australia
HABITAT Wide range, from coastal heathland to arid and
subalpine woodlands
HOST PLANTS Native and introduced plantain (Plantago spp.) and plants from
Lamiaceae, Myoporaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Thymelaeaceae

NOTE Well-camouflaged caterpillar often located only by a feeding scar
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but locally common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1–1¼ in (25–32 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
11 ∕₁₆ in (17 mm)
CANDALIDES HEATHI
RAYED BLUE
152
(COX, 1873)

The Rayed Blue caterpillar feeds openly on the underside of
leaves, producing irregular patches with the upper leaf cuticle
and the veins remaining intact. Older caterpillars consume
greater portions of the leaves. The larvae feed largely at night
and rest during the day on the underside of lower leaves. They
are sometimes attended by a few small, black ants but are usually
unattended. The caterpillars complete development within three
to five weeks.

Pupation occurs on the underside of leaves, on stems, or under
litter at the base of the host plant. The pupa is attached by anal
hooks and a central girdle. There is one generation a year in
southern areas of Australia, with dormant pupae overwintering.
However, in the warmer northern regions, pupal dormancy
seems to be broken by rain, and breeding occurs throughout
much of the year. Pupal dormancy can last more than 20 months.

The Rayed Blue caterpillar is at and broad
with a weakly scalloped margin and square
ends. Its base color is green with a darker
middorsal line, pale yellow subdorsal
chevron lines, and a pale yellow ventrolateral
line, covered with numerous small, white
hairs. It also has a prominent dorsal ridge
Actual size on the thorax and abdominal segments one
to six, consisting of protuberances topped
with short, dark, bristly hairs.