How to translate text using browser tools
16 March 2020 Life History Observations of Callophrys irus (Family: Lycaenidae) in North Florida, USA
Dave McElveen, Dean Jue, Sally Jue, Virginia Dell Craig
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Frosted elfins (Callophrys irus Godart) are a rare lycaenid currently being assessed for potential listing under the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species Act. We recorded observations on the early life stages of C. irus in north Florida as part of a larger multi-year study of a C. irus metapopulation. Oviposition was observed as early as February 20 and as late as April 7, and occurred primarily on immature inflorescences, apical shoots of a non-flowering stem, leaf petioles, leaf buds, and the margins of leaflets. Larvae were observed as early as March 18 and as late as May 11. Different larval stages fed on different portions of their host plants. The frequency of ant associations with C. irus larvae was similar to other lupine-feeding populations, but less than wild indigo-feeding populations. Larval feeding sign was useful for focusing larval search efforts and may be valuable for researchers trying to determine presence or absence of species in areas that cannot be systematically surveyed for adults.

Dave McElveen, Dean Jue, Sally Jue, and Virginia Dell Craig "Life History Observations of Callophrys irus (Family: Lycaenidae) in North Florida, USA," The Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 74(1), 51-56, (16 March 2020). https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.74i1.a6
Received: 14 June 2019; Accepted: 10 January 2020; Published: 16 March 2020
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
ant association
Frosted elfin
larval feeding sign
Lupinus perennis
oviposition
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top