Paralucia aurifer
Species of butterfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The bright copper (Paralucia aurifer) is a butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae.
| Bright copper | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Paralucia |
| Species: | P. aurifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Paralucia aurifer Blanchard, 1848 | |
Taxonomy
The bright copper was first described by Émile Blanchard in 1848.[1]
Description
Distribution and habitat
It is found in eastern Australia including New South Wales, eastern Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.[4]
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.[5]
Gallery
Egg, dorsal view
Egg, lateral view
Larva
Pupa
Mounted male
Mounted female
Male
Female
