The sub-spiracular series is composed of three on each segment, which project laterally, and curve slightly downwards and form a projecting fringe all round the larva along the lateral ridge. These consist of a pair on each side of each segment above the spiracle, and are placed obliquely those of the dorsal pair are the largest, and curve backwards those of the sub-dorsal pair are shorter, and curve a little upwards and forwards. There are longitudinal rows of long glassy-white serrated hairs running the entire length of the body. Directly after emergence the larva measures 1 mm. "The larva emerges by eating a comparatively large hole generally in the centre of the crown, but occasionally at the side, which is a somewhat unusual habit, as the manner of emerging in each species is usually constant. Common Stork's-bill ( Erodium cicutarium) and Dove's-foot Crane's-bill ( Geranium molle) are also used. The primary larval foodplant is Common Rock-rose ( Helianthemum nummularium). Larvae of the generation that overwinters generally do so while in their 2nd or 3rd instar. The association with ants affords the larva some protection against parasites and predators. In the last instar, the larva develops Newcomer's glands that exude a secretion that is highly attractive to ants. More mature larvae feed more openly and are often given away by the presence of the ants that are in attendance. The resulting patches are visible from above which can give away the presence of a larva underneath the leaf. The newly-emerged larva eats the underside of the leaf, but without breaking through the upper surface. The colour when first laid is of a delicate greenish-white, which remains unchanged until just before hatching, when it becomes an opaque pearl-white." - Frohawk (1924) These are especially elevated round the upper side surrounding the crown they become less on rounding the side, where the pattern forms a more regular design. The juncture of each rib is raised to a prominent point. The entire surface is covered with raised irregular reticulations of a network pattern. wide, of a compressed globular form, sunken in the centre the micropyle is finely pitted to the naked eye it shows as a dull central spot. The majority of the eggs were hatched by the 15th. The eggs were scattered over the plants as well as on the gauze covers. By the morning of the 13th they had mostly all died. On June 10th, 1900, several females were placed on growing plants of rock-rose in three different pots, about six on each plant nearly all commenced depositing at once. This particular egg hatched early morning on June 13th, remaining in the egg state five and three-quarter days. As soon as it settled, it turned round once or twice, curved its abdomen down, and deposited a single egg on the under surface of a leaf next to the midrib, at 1:15 p.m. It settled on a small sprig of rock-rose ( Helianthemum vulgare) growing on a steep hillside in Oxfordshire, covered with a variety of small flowering plants, long grass, and studded with small hawthorn and juniper bushes, the hill facing N.E. "On June 7th, 1900, the author watched a female depositing. In fact, the two species are sometimes found roosting together.Īdults feed primarily on buttercups ( Ranunculus spp.), Common Bird's-foot-trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus), Common Rock-rose ( Helianthemum nummularium), dandelions ( Taraxacum spp.), Horseshoe Vetch ( Hippocrepis comosa), ragworts ( Jacobaea spp.), White Clover ( Trifolium repens), Wild Marjoram ( Origanum vulgare) and Wild Thyme ( Thymus polytrichus).Įggs are laid singly, typically on the underside of a leaf of the foodplant, close to the midrib. Like its close relative, the Common Blue, this species will roost communally on grass stems at night. When egg-laying, the female will make meandering flight close to the ground, searching out suitable foodplants on which to lay. Mating takes place after a short flight low to the ground. When courting, the males congregate at the base of a slope where they either perch, waiting for a virgin female to fly by, or patrol the area looking for a female perched on a grass stem awaiting a mate. This is a warmth-loving species and, as such, is often found in sheltered areas or on south-facing slopes.
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