| Abstract: | Callophrys irus is a rare and declining lycaenid found in the eastern U.S., inhabiting xeric and open habitats maintained by disturbance. Populations are localized and monophagous. We document a previously undescribed larval feeding behavior in both field and lab reared larvae in which late instar larvae girdled the main stem of the host plant. Girdled stems provide a unique feeding sign that was useful in detecting the presence of larvae in the field. We also observed frequent association of field larvae with several species of ants and provide a list of ant species. We suggest two hypotheses on the potential benefits of stem-girdling to C. irus larvae: 1) Stem girdling provides phloem sap as a larval food source and increases the leaf nutrient concentration, increasing larval growth rates and providing high quality honeydew for attending ants; 2) Stem girdling reduces stem toxicity by inhibiting transport of toxins from roots to the stem. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70030929 |
| Citation Author: | Albanese, G.; Nelson, M. W.; Vickery, P. D.; Sievert, P. R. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 66 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 6 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Larval feeding behavior and ant association in frosted elfin, Callophrys irus (Lycaenidae); 2007; Article; Journal; Journal of the Lepidopterists‘ Society; Albanese, G.; Nelson, M. W.; Vickery, P. D.; Sievert, P. R. |
| Citation Start Page: | 61 |
| Citation Volume: | 61 |
| Citation Year: | 2007 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Larval feeding behavior and ant association in frosted elfin, Callophrys irus (Lycaenidae); 2007; Article; Journal; Journal of the Lepidopterists‘ Society; Albanese, G.; Nelson, M. W.; Vickery, P. D.; Sievert, P. R. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | |
