Paralucia aurifer

Taxonomy

The bright copper was first described by Émile Blanchard in 1848.

Description

The adult bright copper has a wingspan of 25 mm.

The flight season is from December to January.

The wings are dull brown on top with gold-orange triangles in the middle of each wing.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in eastern Australia including New South Wales, eastern Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

Ecology

The bright copper and the ant species Anonychomyrma nitidiceps form a complex symbiotic relationship on Bursaria spinosa. Butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves before pupating in the soil at the foot of the plant. The ants excavate chambers in the soil where the caterpillars sleep and later pupate, and accompany the caterpillars when the latter are feeding. They are thought to feed on the caterpillars' secretions.

Gallery

File:Paralucia aurifer egg dorsal.jpg|Egg, dorsal view File:Paralucia aurifer egg lateral.jpg|Egg, lateral view File:Paralucia aurifer larva.jpg|Larva File:Paralucia aurifer pupa.jpg|Pupa File:Paralucia aurifer male mounted.jpg|Mounted male File:Paralucia aurifer female mounted.jpg|Mounted female File:Paralucia_aurifer_male.jpg|Male File:Paralucia aurifer female.jpg|Female

References

References

1. "''Paralucia'' Waterhouse & Turner, 1905". Markku Savela.
2. "Bright Copper Butterfly ''Paralucia aurifer''". Museum Victoria.
3. "''Paralucia aurifer''". Morwell National Park Online.
4. Kitching, Roger. (1999). "Biology of Australian butterflies". CSIRO Publishing.
5. (1994). "Assessing Benefits to Both Participants in a Lycaenid-Ant Association". Ecology.