Page 167 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Lycaenidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern mainland Australia, Tasmania
HABITAT Heathland, ranging from alpine to semi-arid inland areas
HOST PLANTS Native peas of the Fabaceae family, including Gorse Bitter-pea
(Daviesia ulicifolia), other Daviesia spp., Aotus spp., and
Bossiaea spp.

NOTE Caterpillar camouflaged to match the color of flowers it feeds on
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but locally common

ADULT WINGSPAN
¾ in (20 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
½ in (12 mm)
NEOLUCIA AGRICOLA
FRINGED HEATH-BLUE 165

(WESTWOOD, [1851])

Fringed Heath-blue caterpillars hatch in the early spring from
eggs laid during the previous spring or early summer. Hatching
coincides with the flowering of the food plants. The early instars

burrow into the calyx, feeding within the flower, while the larger

caterpillars consume entire flowers. The mature caterpillars are

difficult to find as they blend in with the red and yellow flowers

on which they are feeding. The caterpillars develop rapidly,
and adults are flying by the end of spring. There is only one Actual size

generation a year.
The caterpillars pupate on the stems of the food plant. The adults
fly close to the ground, and males are known to fly on hilltops.

The genus contains only three species, every one confined to

Australia. The caterpillars of all species are usually not attended
by ants, but occasionally, in Western Australia, ants have been
found associated with Neolucia agricola. The Fringed Heath-blue caterpillar is weakly
scalloped laterally and is variable in color,
although usually green or reddish green with
a broad, dark, reddish-green dorsal band edged
with white and a reddish lateral band edged
ventrally in white. The caterpillar has short,
blunt, paired protuberances on the thorax and
abdomen and numerous lateral white hairs.