Myrmecophilous organs and ant association of the larvae of Tongeia fischeri(Eversmann, 1843)(Lycaenidae: Polyommatini)

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  • JERATTHITIKUL Ekgachai
    Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • CHANTARASAWAT Naratip
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
  • YAGO Masaya
    The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
  • HIKIDA Tsutomu
    Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • クロツバメシジミ幼虫の好蟻性器官とアリとの関連性(シジミチョウ科:ヒメシジミ族)

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Abstract

Butterflies in the family Lycaenidae have for a long time been known for their association with ants. These associations can be facultative or obligate, ranging from mutualism to parasitism and have strongly influenced the development of the larval morphology. Here, we describe myrmecophilous organs of the larva of Tongeia fischeri and compare them to some other lycaenid species. The larva possesses three types of myrmecophilous organs, namely pore cupola organs (PCOs), tentacle organs (TOs) and a dorsal nectary organ (DNO). During field surveys in Kyushu, Japan, seven attendant ants were identified as follows: Ochetellus glaber, Lasius productus, Cardiocondyla nuda, Crematogaster nawai, Pheidole fervens, Tetramorium bicarinatum and Tetramorium tsushimae. This nonspecific ant-association of T. fischeri suggests that the butterfly is a facultative myrmecophilous species.

Journal

  • Lepidoptera Science

    Lepidoptera Science 64 (4), 132-139, 2013

    THE LEPIDOPTEROLOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN

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