LYCAENIDAE LYCAENIDS FAUNA PARAGUAY

LYCAENIDAE - LYCAENIDS
Over 6000 described species are found in this worldwide family, with the greatest diversity predictably in the tropics. Many species show sexual dimorphism and taxonomy is extremely confused. Underwing pattern is more useful for identification purposes than the upperwing.
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Characteristics
Small and generally blue on the upperwing, especially in males. Eyes may or may not be hairy and can be emarginated. Maxillary palpi are absent and labial palpi are usually ascending and prominent. The epiphysis is absent and the forelegs of males are frequently reduced - though of normal size in females. Tibial spurs often entirely absent with typical formulas 0-0-2 or 0-0-1. Humeral vein of the hindwing may be present or absent. (Smart 1975; Scoble 1995).

Life Cycles
Eggs may be spherical or wider than they are tall and generally bear pits or projections. The chorion is frequently highly porous enabling it to act as a plastron when eggs are submerged in rain water. Larvae are onisciform and resemble woodlice in shape. They are generally green or brown in colour. Crochets are arranged in interrupted mesoseries. A dorsal gland is usually present on abdominal segment A7 and a pair of eversible organs are present on A8, each with minute "pore cupolas" associated with them. Pupae are frequently girdled, but when it is not it may be positioned at an angle to the substrate or suspended with head facing downwards. (Smart 1975; Scoble 1995; Turner D & Stanêk VJ 1992).

Classification
Classification to species level in this family is in a state of revision and there exists much confusion in the nomenclature as well as a large number of undescribed forms. This family formerly included the Riodinidae as a subfamily, but recent studies suggest that family level recognition is warranted. We currently have images of 44 species in this family. Figures in brackets after the subfamilial names refer to the number of species for which we currently have images.

Superfamily Papilionoidea: Family Lycaenidae.

Subfamily Polyommatinae (3) Blues
Blues are in general tiny little butterflies with a low fluttery flight, often found in grassy areas. The underside of the wing is usually cryptically-coloured and patterned with ocular spots useful for identification. Despite the common name it is usually only males that have blue on the upperwing, the colour due to refracted light rather than pigmentation - females tend to be brown. Larvae are onisciform and phytophagous, though in some instars of some species they may even be predatory on Stenorrhyncha. Some species share a remarkable relationship with ants in which the larvae produce a sugary substance attractive to them and in return are fed by the ants and afforded protection within their nests. Saprophagy and even cannibalism have been reported amongst larvae. Plant-feeding larvae are usually associated with Leguminosae. Pupae may or may not be girdled. Poorly represented in the Neotropics. (Scoble 1995).
*Hanno Blue Hemiargus hanno - Mirí manchada
*Cassius Blue Leptotes cassius - Azul lilácea
*Cyna Blue Zizula cyna - Mirí

Subfamily Theclinae (41) Hairstreaks
Hairstreaks are small butterflies that often show tails that recall "false antennae", wiggling about as the butterfly perches - a movement known as "rubbing". The idea is that a predator mistakes this for the head of the butterfly and in attempting to make a swift kill attacks the wrong end of the butterfly, allowing it to escape unharmed! Larvae are more or less onisciform. Pupae are girlded with the last segment often dilated. (Scoble 1995).
*Arawacus ellida - Élida
*Arawacus melibaeus - Melibea
*Arawacus separata - Rayadita blanca
*Arawacus tarania
*Beautiful Tailedstreak - Atlides polybe
*Brangas gettus
*Calycopsis "affinis" caulonia
*Calycopis caulonia
*Calycopis gentilla
*Celmia celmus
*Chlorostrymon telea
*Cyanophrys acaste - Acasto
*Endostrymon "affinis" endymion
*Enos thara
*Evenus satyroides
*Ipidecla schausi
*Ministrymon azia
*Ministrymon una
*Mithras orobia
*Ocaria ocrisia - Ocrisia
*Oenamaus sp.
*Ostrinotes sophocles
*Paiwarria venulius
*Parrhasius hebraeus
*Marsyas Giantstreak Pseudolycaena marsyas - Marsias
*Straight-banded Hairstreak Rekoa malina - Azul banda recta
*Rekoa marius
*Gold-bordered Hairstreak Rekoa palegon - Azul banda curva
*Strephonota sphinx
*Strephonota umbrax
*Strymon astiocha - Astiocha
*Strymon bazochii
*Strymon bubastus
*Strymon cestri
*Strymon eurytulus - Frotadora
*White-lined Rubber Strymon mulucha - Frotadora linea blanca
*Strymon rufofusca
*Strymon ziba
*Thereus molena
*Theritas hemon
*Larger Lantana Tmolus echion - Tmolos

References:
Canals GR 2000 - Mariposas Bonaerenses - LOLA, Buenos Aires.
Canals GR 2003 - Mariposas de Misiones - LOLA, Buenos Aires.
Scoble MJ 1995 - The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity - Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Smart P 1975 - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World - Salamander Books, London
Turner D, Stanêk VJ 1992 - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies and Moths - Select Editions, London.