Subfamily THECLINAE - Hairstreaks

The butterflies in this subfamily have the antenna club in cylindrical shape. Their hind wings may bear 1 or 2 slender tails.



The caterpillars secrete a substance which attracts ants, usually by a single or at most a few species of ants. They feed openly during the day.


Imperial Blue, Imperial Hairstreak

Jalmenus evagoras, tribe Zesiini, caterpillar length 35mm, adult wingspan 40mm
The Imperial Blue butterflies are brownish blue on the top side and pale yellow with black lines on the underside. There are long curled tails on each hind wing. Females lay eggs on different kinds of wattles. The caterpillars are easily found during summer on the day time feeding on the leaves. The caterpillars are always attended by ants . More pictures and information please click here.

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p899.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p465.
3. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia - Michael F Braby, Australian National University, CSIRO 2004, p244.
4. Create More Butterflies - by Frank Jordan and Helen Schwencke, Earthling Enterprises, 2005, p22.

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