The Large Blue butterfly, however, is less symbiotic, exhibiting a form of parasitism of a specific species of the Myrmica ant. The caterpillars, being similar to Myrmica ants physically and chemically and possibly using other forms of mimicry, trick the ants into taking them back to the ant nest, where they either become a predator of the ants larvae or beg for food by acting like an ant larvae in what is known as a “cuckoo” strategy
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys Rubi)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Tribe: Eumaeini
Genus: Callophrys
Species: rubi
Key ID Features:
Although brown above it always settles with wings closed showing the unique green underside.
Spends much time perched on vegetation, tilted to absorb the sun's rays.
Sexes identical other than a small grey sex brand and slightly bolder white spots on the male.
Seen in UK: Mid April-July
This butterfly is the most widespread of our hairstreaks. However, it is also a local species, forming distinct colonies which can be as small as a few dozen individuals, although other colonies can be much larger. Both sexes always settle with their wings closed, the brown uppersides only ever being seen in flight. The undersides, by contrast, provide the illusion of being green, an effect produced by the diffraction of light on a lattice-like structure found within the wing scales, which provides excellent camouflage as the butterfly rests on a favourite perch, such as a Hawthorn branch. This butterfly will also regulate its body temperature by tilting its wings appropriately to catch the sun’s rays. This butterfly is found throughout the British Isles – partly due to the wide variety of foodplants it uses, and the wide range of habitats it frequents.
Sluggish green and yellow caterpillars, which pupate over winter beneath moss and leaves, are cannibalistic.
Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
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Location: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire
Photographer: Tim Tapley
